e had said
nothing of the kind.

"But you cannot remember her name?"

"No, neither of us. We only saw her for a few minutes, once or twice,
you see."

A little cloud fell over the lady's face, and after a perplexed gaze,
in which her eyes, fixed upon Faith, seemed to look through and beyond
her, she rose abruptly, said in her usual reserved manner, "Thank you
for your information," and walked away.

Faith, looking after her wonderingly, saw young Allyne standing near,
his eyes turned wistfully upon herself. She flushed a little, and so
did he; then, with an impulsive movement, he made a step forward.

"Miss Hosmer," he began quickly, "I've wanted to say a word to your
sister for some time, but no opportunity has offered. Perhaps it will
be just as well to say it to you?"

Faith bowed, not comprehending, and he went on rapidly, as if to hurry
over a disagreeable duty,

"I feel that I was inexcusable, the other evening, in my reference to
your sister, and I can't understand myself at all. I suppose she
doesn't care what I think of her--good, bad, or indifferent--but I want
you, at least, to know that I do think her one of the sweetest, most
modest, girls I ever saw--too reserved and quiet, indeed, if she has a
flaw!"

Faith's drooped eyes were dancing. She knew the young man believed
himself to be speaking to Hope, about herself, and that, to be quite
fair, she ought to undeceive him at once. But a spirit of mischief had
taken possession of her and she felt he deserved some punishment.
Besides, it is so rare a chance when one can talk oneself over with a
person who has not learned one's identity! So she answered brusquely,
in Hope's own manner,

"I couldn't understand it, either, and it will be hard to make my
sister listen. She is a bit inflexible, at times. If you knew her
better you could never have hurt her so. She is not a flirt, by any
means!"

"I know it!" groaned Allyne, thoroughly shamed and penitent. "I knew
it then, but--I may as well own up--it was the champagne."

"More shame to you!" declared Faith with unusual decision. "That is no
excuse at all, for if it makes you do and say things to regret later.
Why don't you simply let it alone?"

He looked at her with a derisive laugh.

"Why don't I?" he began, then catching her earnest expression, checked
himself. "That's good logic, I suppose," he added.

"More--it's good sense," she argued. "I love oranges, for instance,
but they