r its influence."

"They must be happy," observed Kit Cameron. "Think of it! Christmas
and a bridal trip and the Sunny South,--all at once."

"It is a large order," laughed Patty. "But Mona likes a lot of things
at once. That girl has no sense of moderation. When are they coming
home, Elise?"

"Don't know. No signs of it yet. Come on, people, now we're going to
have the tree!"

The orchestra played a march, and the crowd trooped into the great hall
known as the Casino. There awaited them a resplendent Christmas tree,
glittering with frosted decorations and glowing with electric lights.

Van Reypen had quietly taken possession of Patty as a partner, and he
guided her to a pleasant seat where she could see all the
entertainment. For great doings had been arranged to please the
guests, and a short program was carried out.

Waits sang old English carols, mummers cut up queer antics, servitors
brought in the Boar's Head and Wassail Bowl, and finally it was
announced that all present would participate in the old-fashioned dance
of Sir Roger de Coverley.

Patty enjoyed it all. She loved to see this sort of thing when it was
well done, and in this instance every detail was faultless. Van Reypen
quite shared her enthusiasm, and was vigorously clapping his hands over
some jest of a mummer, when Big Bill Farnsworth came up to Patty, made
a low bow, his hand on his breast, and whisked her off to the dance
before she fairly realised what had happened.

"Why--I can't!" she exclaimed, as she found herself standing opposite
her smiling partner. "I'm--I'm engaged to Philip!"

"I know you are," returned Farnsworth, gravely, "but you can give me
one dance."

Patty blushed, furiously. "Oh, I didn't mean engaged _that_ way," she
said, "I meant engaged for this dance."

"No," corrected Farnsworth, still smiling, "you did mean you are
engaged to him _that_ way, but _not_ for this dance."

"Well, he hadn't actually asked me," said Patty, doubtfully, "but I
know he took it for granted----"

"It isn't wise to take too much for granted--there! see, he has just
discovered your absence."

Sure enough, Van Reypen, who had been engrossed with the mummer's
chaff, turned back to where Patty had sat, and his look of amazement at
her absence was funny to see.

Glancing about, he saw her standing in line, opposite Farnsworth. At
first, he looked wrathful, then accepting his position with a good
grace, he smiled at them bo