!"

"But you can harmonise,--yes, harmonise. You will, won't you? If you
didn't, I couldn't bear it."

"Oh, then I'll harmonise, yes, I promise you I will. I'll find
something that won't make a discord. But can you dictate to all your
guests like this?"

"Alas, no! Would that I might! And now I must go. Alla will be
wanting me."

"What is he, anyway?" said Patty, as after his adieux, the poet swung
away, with his queer, loping gait.

"Bats in his belfry," returned Roger, laughing. "He's the real thing
in high-art souls,--if you get what I mean."

"Oh, I don't know," demurred Patty; "I think he's sincere."

"You do! Well, he may be, for all of me. But if he is, give me base
deception, every time! Don't you fall in love with him, Patty, Van
Reypen wouldn't stand for it."

"I don't know what Mr. Van Reypen has to say about it," returned Patty,
with a heightened colour. "And remember, Roger, not everybody is so
absorbed in loving and being loved as you are!"

Patty's roguish smile was affectionate as well, for she was fond of
Roger, and also of Mona, and she was deeply interested in their love
affair. Their engagement had been a short one, and now that the
wedding day was so near, the whole Farrington family could think or
talk of little else. And as a house guest and a dear friend, Patty,
too, was enthusiastic and excited about the preparations.

And then Roger went off to the train to meet Mona, and Philip, who came
down at the same time, and Elise disappeared and Patty sat alone, in
the falling dusk, snugly tucked in her rugs, and feeling very lazy and
comfortable and happy.

Her thoughts drifted idly from one subject to another, and presently
she heard a step beside her, and felt her hand taken in somebody's warm
clasp.

"Philip!" she cried, starting up.

"Yes, my girl, and so glad to see you again. How are you?"

"Fine. This splendid air and luxurious living has made me all well
again."

"That's good. But it's too late for you to be out here. Come on in
the house."

"Yes, I will. Did Mona come?"

"Yes, we came down together. How that girl is improving!"

"What do you mean? She always was a fine character."

"Yes, but she has so much more--er--sweetness and light."

"That's so. I've noticed it ever since she's been engaged."

"Well, don't you put on any more sweetness and light when you get
engaged. I simply couldn't stand it! You're chock-a-block full of it
now!"