was surprised to see the embarrassment in the girl's
face.

"It's from Mr. Harley," she said, in distress. "Oh, I'm sure I've
never let him think I----" She handed the letter to June. "He wants me
to go to a theatre with him," she added in confusion.

"Well, I should go," said June promptly. "You don't get much fun, and
the man knows you're engaged, and if he likes to chance it----"

"But how does he know I'm engaged? I've never told him."

"I did," June said calmly. "I saw the way the wind was blowing and
told him to save complications." She made a little grimace at Esther.
"And after this note are you still going to declare that he isn't more
than ordinarily interested? Esther, you're the most unsuspecting
baby---- Say you'll go, of course. There's no harm in it."

"I certainly shall not go," Esther said; "I don't want to, for one
thing, and, for another, it would not be fair----"

"You mean to Mr. Harley?" June asked.

"Yes, and to----"

"To the phantom lover! Oh, I see!" said June drily.

Esther coloured.

"I don't know what you mean," she said with a touch of dignity.

"Oh yes, you do," June declared. "Don't look so angry! What am I to
call him, pray? You haven't told me his name." She waited, but Esther
did not speak. "Of course, if you'd rather not," she added, rather
stiffly.

Esther got up and came over to sit on the arm of her chair.

"It isn't that I don't want you to know, but--well, I promised him not
to tell any one; you see, his people would be furious if they knew.
After all, I suppose I'm not anybody, and----"

June pushed her away.

"Oh, you make me tired!" she said crossly. "Why will you insist on
belittling yourself? Who on earth is this wonderful man that he sets
himself up for such a model of superiority? He can't be anybody if
he's ashamed of you. You don't like Micky, I know, but, with all his
money and position, if he loved you he'd be only too proud to shout it
from the housetops, and not care a hang what the world thought.
There's no rotten pride about Micky--if he loved a beggar girl he'd be
proud of it.... No, don't say any more, it makes me boil!"

She lit another cigarette and puffed at it furiously.

"Do you--do you think I should go with Mr. Harley, then?" Esther asked
presently. Her pretty face was flushed and troubled.

"No, I don't," said June emphatically. "I think you ought to please
yourself. I don't want to advise you, but it does seem to me that
you're thr