azen--or, at least, she told herself that she had been--and as a
consequence, she was wretchedly ill at ease. Her distress was in
marked contrast with the man's self-possession, which amounted almost
to indifference. There was no spark visible of the fire which had
flashed earlier in the day. It was as though he had steeled himself to
remain invulnerable throughout the call.

And the usually composed girl prattled aimlessly, voicing platitudes,
conventionalities, banalities, inanities--anything to gain time and to
cover her embarrassment: to all of which the man listened in sober
silence, watching her steadily.

Abruptly, Miss Willis grew angry with herself, and stopped. When angry
she was collected.

Dr. Carter's face lit up humorously.

"You have no idea," he said, "how you have relieved my mind."

The girl looked a question.

"I supposed I was the embarrassed individual," he laughed.

"If you had only given me a hint," suggested the girl, reproachfully.
She was now amazed that she had ever lost her grip upon herself, and
wondered why she had.

"A hint!" he exclaimed. "I was dumb; I thought you'd see."

The tension was off, and they laughed together. From then on, both
remained natural. In the midst of a lull, Dr. Carter suddenly said:

"You'll think me a barbarian, Miss Willis, but I have a request to
make. I am in the mood to-night to be unconventional"--the corners of
his serious mouth lifted humorously--"to be what I really am," he
illuminated, "and to meet you in the same spirit." He paused with a
little shrug. "It is a disappointing reversion to the primitive, I
must admit." He glanced up whimsically. "May I ask you a question--any
question?"

"Do you think it possible," the girl evaded, "for a modern woman to
meet you--the way you say--naturally?"

He seemed to question her seriousness.

"I have seen little of women for a number of years," he returned, "but
I'd hate to think it impossible."

"Little of women!" was the surprised comment.

"You misunderstand," he quickly corrected. "I go out so seldom that
the woman I see is not the real woman at all; not the woman of
home." His hand made a little motion of forbearance. "In his
consultation-room the patients of a physician are--sexless."

"I think that a woman--that I--can still be natural, Dr. Carter," said
Miss Willis, slowly, her eyes downcast. "What did you wish to ask?"

It was his turn to hesitate.

"I hardly know how to put it, now t