an exhilarating effect on the spirits. You
wait and see."

Peggy looked at her friend, and her eyes twinkled. It was evident that
some mystery was in the air, and that the word `tonic' was used in a
figurative rather than a literal sense. Mellicent pondered, hit on the
solution of chocolates, and being an inveterate sweet-tooth, found
consolation in the prospect. Perhaps Peggy was going to present her
with some of the treasures she had brought home from Cannes, in which
case there would not only be the enjoyment of the bonbons themselves,
but the case would remain as a permanent joy and pride. So fascinating
did the idea appear that it was quite a shook to see a long narrow roll
emerge from the wardrobe when the crucial hour arrived.

"Here is your tonic," said Peggy. "It has come all the way from India,
and was ordered for you a whole year back. I didn't tell you what your
present was the other night, for I wanted you to have the fun of opening
it yourself. I do like opening my own parcels, don't you, and not
knowing what I'm going to see!"

"Oh, I do! I love it!" agreed Mellicent rapturously, taking the roll in
her arms, and prodding at it with the end of her fingers. "Peggy, how
sweet of you! I know I shall like it... It's very hard, and so
narrow... I can't imagine what it can be. Ordered a year ago--that
sounds as if it had to be made. Is it--er--ornamental or useful?"

"Oh, useful! very, very useful!" cried Peggy, and chuckled with
enjoyment at Mellicent's gallant attempt to hide disappointment beneath
a pretence of satisfaction.

"Oh yes, how nice! Useful things are much more--_useful_, aren't they?
I believe it's an umbrella, and yet it's rather thick for that. I can't
imagine what it can be."

"Cut the string and look! That's the best way out of the difficulty,"
suggested Peggy; and Mellicent followed her advice, and slowly unrolled
the parcel on the bed. Silver paper came first, rolls of silver paper,
and a breath of that delicious aromatic perfume which seems an integral
part of all Eastern produce, last of all a cardboard cylinder, with
something soft and white and gauzy wrapped around it. Mellicent
screamed aloud, and jumped about in the middle of the floor.

"It is! It is!" she cried rhapsodically. "It's a dress like yours--
like the one that was burned in the fire, and that I loved so much. But
prettier. Oh, Peggy, it's prettier! There are more of the lovely white
silk flo