that perhaps it had been the good
influence of another. The tale flew. Christina found herself besieged on
every hand, and, finding her intercessions invariably successful, grew
day by day more pleased with herself, and by consequence more pleased
with Nicholas Snyders. For Nicholas was a cunning old gentleman. Jan's
soul in him took delight in undoing the evil the soul of Nicholas
had wrought. But the brain of Nicholas Snyders that remained to him
whispered: "Let the little maid think it is all her doing."

The news reached the ears of Dame Toelast. The same evening saw her
seated in the inglenook opposite Nicholas Snyders, who smoked and seemed
bored.

"You are making a fool of yourself, Nicholas Snyders," the Dame told
him. "Everybody is laughing at you."

"I had rather they laughed than cursed me," growled Nicholas.

"Have you forgotten all that has passed between us?" demanded the Dame.

"Wish I could," sighed Nicholas.

"At your age--" commenced the Dame.

"I am feeling younger than I ever felt in all my life," Nicholas
interrupted her.

"You don't look it," commented the Dame.

"What do looks matter?" snapped Nicholas. "It is the soul of a man that
is the real man."

"They count for something, as the world goes," explained the Dame. "Why,
if I liked to follow your example and make a fool of myself, there are
young men, fine young men, handsome young men--"

"Don't let me stand in your way," interposed Nicholas quickly. "As you
say, I am old and I have a devil of a temper. There must be many better
men than I am, men more worthy of you."

"I don't say there are not," returned the Dame: "but nobody more
suitable. Girls for boys, and old women for old men. I haven't lost my
wits, Nicholas Snyders, if you have. When you are yourself again--"

Nicholas Snyders sprang to his feet. "I am myself," he cried, "and
intend to remain myself! Who dares say I am not myself?"

"I do," retorted the Dame with exasperating coolness. "Nicholas Snyders
is not himself when at the bidding of a pretty-faced doll he flings his
money out of the window with both hands. He is a creature bewitched, and
I am sorry for him. She'll fool you for the sake of her friends till
you haven't a cent left, and then she'll laugh at you. When you are
yourself, Nicholas Snyders, you will be crazy with yourself--remember
that." And Dame Toelast marched out and slammed the door behind her.

"Girls for boys, and old women for old men." The