e of these things. Would n't the easiest way be for you to give me
one of each?"

That indeed would be a pleasure. Did monsieur know the correct size?

Only in a general way--madame was not quite his height and weighed in
the neighborhood of one hundred and fifty pounds. That was enough to
go upon for outside garments. Still there remained a wide choice of
style and color. In this Monte pleased himself, pointing his stick
with sure judgment at what took his fancy, as this and the other thing
was placed before him. It was a decidedly novel and a very pleasant
occupation.

In this way he spent the best part of another hour, and made a payment
in American Express orders of a considerable sum. That, however,
involved nothing but tearing from the book he always carried as many
orders for twenty-five dollars as most nearly approximated the sum
total. The articles were to be delivered within one hour to "Madame M.
Covington, Hotel Normandie."

Monte left the store with a sense of satisfaction, tempered a trifle by
an uncomfortable doubt as to just how this presumption on his part
would be received. However, he was well within his rights. He held
sturdily to that.

With still two hours before he could return,--for he must leave her
free until luncheon,--he went on to the Champs Elysees and so to the
Bois. He still dwelt with pleasure upon the opportunity that had been
offered him to buy those few things for her. It sent him along briskly
with a smile on his face. It did more; it suggested a new idea. The
reason he had been taking himself so seriously was that he had been
thinking too much about himself and not enough about her. The simple
way out of that difficulty was from now on not to consider himself at
all. After all, what happened to him did not much matter, as long as
it did not affect her. His job from now on was to make her happy.

For the rest of his walk he kept tight hold of that idea, and came back
to the hotel with a firm grip on it. He called to her through the door
of her room:--

"How you making it?"

"Pretty well," came her voice. "Only I went shopping and bought all my
things--including a coat for you. Then, when I return, I find a whole
boxful from you."

"All my efforts wasted!" he exclaimed.

"No, Monte," she replied quickly. "I could n't allow that,
because--well, because it was so thoughtful of you. So I kept the coat
and bonnet you selected--and a few other things. I'