moment.

"Yours most cordially,
"CONSTANCE WILDER."

"P. S. I forgot to mention that we are acquainted already, you and
I. We met six years ago, and you insulted me--under your own roof.
You called me a _kid_. I shall accept nothing but a personal
apology."

Having read it critically, she sealed and addressed it with malicious
delight; it was calculated to arouse just about the emotions she would
like to have Tony entertain. She gave the note to Giuseppe with
instructions to place it in Gustavo's hands, and then settled herself
gaily to await results.

Giuseppe was barely out of sight when the two Alpine-climbers appeared at
the gate. Constance had been wondering how she could inform Tony that his
aunt and sister had arrived, without unbending from the dignified silence
of the past three days. The obvious method was to announce it to her
father in Tony's presence, but her father slipped into the house by the
back way without affording her an opportunity. It was Tony himself who
solved the difficulty. Of his own accord he crossed the terrace and
approached her side. He laid a bunch of edelweiss on the balustrade.

"It's a peace offering," he observed.

She looked at him a moment without speaking. There was a new expression
in her eyes that puzzled Tony, just as the expression in his eyes that
morning on the water had puzzled her. She was studying him in the light
of Jerry Junior. The likeness to the sophomore, who six years before sang
the funny songs without a smile, was so very striking, she wondered she
could ever have overlooked it.

"Thank you, Tony; it is very nice of you." She picked up the flowers and
smiled--with the knowledge of the letter that was waiting for him she
could afford to be forgiving.

"You discharged me, signorina; will you take me back into your service?"

"I am not going to climb any more mountains; it is too fatiguing. I think
it is better for you and my father to go alone."

"I will serve you in other ways."

Constance studied the mountains a moment. Should she tell him she knew,
or should she keep up the pretense a little longer? Her insatiable love
of intrigue won.

"Are you sure you wish to be taken back?"

"_Si_, signorina, I am very sure."

"Then perhaps you will do me a favor on your way home tonight?"

"You have but to ask."

"I wish to send a mess