ght
smile.

"Very well; then we will arrange it this way," she continued, her
cheerful manner restored; "you will play your music, and, if I am
familiar with it, I will accompany you on the piano. I will get out
Harry's violin to-morrow, and while auntie is taking her nap and papa is
engaged, we will see what we can accomplish in a musical way."

Before Darrell could reply, Mr. Underwood, who had started from his
revery, demanded,--

"What engagement are you talking about, you chatterbox?"

"I can't say, papa," she replied, playfully seating herself on the arm
of his chair; "I only know that when I asked your company for a walk
to-morrow afternoon, you pleaded a very important engagement. Now, how
is that?" she asked archly; "have you an engagement, really, or didn't
you care for my society?"

"Why, yes, to be sure; it had escaped my mind for the moment," her
father answered, rather vaguely she thought; then, looking at Darrell,
he said,--

"Walcott is coming to-morrow for my final decision in that matter."

Darrell bowed in token that he understood, but did not feel at liberty
to inquire whether the decision was to be favorable to Mr. Walcott, or
otherwise. Kate glanced quickly from one to the other, but before she
could speak her father continued:

"I rather think if he consents to two or three conditions which I shall
insist upon, that my answer will be in the affirmative."

"I thought that quite probable from your conversation the other day,"
Darrell replied.

"See here, papa!" Kate exclaimed, mischievously, "you needn't talk over
my head! You used to do so when I was little, but you can't any longer,
you know. Who is this 'Walcott,' and what is this important decision
about?"

Mr. Underwood, who did not believe in taking what he called the "women
folks" into his confidence regarding business affairs, looked
quizzically into the laughing face beside him.

"Didn't I hear you arranging some sort of a musical programme with Mr.
Darrell?" he inquired.

"Yes; what has that to do with your engagement?" she queried.

"Nothing whatever; only you carry out your engagement and I will mine,
and we'll compare notes afterwards."

For an instant her face sobered; then catching sight of her father's
eyes twinkling under their beetling brows, she laughingly withdrew from
his side, saying,--

"That's all very well; you can score one this time, papa, but don't you
think we won't come out pretty near even in the