r position," he assured her. "I take that for
granted. No one with a spark of kindly feeling could look at this matter
except in one way. Now, you must admit that I have behaved beautifully. I
have made no attempt to surprise your reticence, or even to discover your
name. Truly, I haven't made the faintest effort to entrap you into any
revelations, have I? Now, I am sure that we must know quantities of the
same people, and all I ask is that you mention some of your engagements
to me for the coming fortnight. Suppose, for instance, you were to say:
'I am going to be at the Goddards to-morrow afternoon about five.
Wednesday, I am to dine at the Symmeses. Thursday, at the Hamptons.'"

Did she give a little start, or was it his fancy? At any rate she
followed him with unmistakable interest, and when he had finished she
leaned back in her chair with a ripple of low laughter.

"I do not believe we will begin that," she said. "It's like a game and we
could go on indefinitely mentioning names on the strength of finding a
mutual acquaintance. No, I am something of a fatalist. I think I will let
events take their course. If we are to meet again, why, we are. If not,
why, all our poor efforts can not compass it. Ah, it is nine o'clock, on
the very stroke! Good night." She smiled graciously, charmingly. "And
thank you again for so kindly restoring my property."

It was a very distinct dismissal. Hayden rose at once. "But," he
protested before he took a step to depart, "you can not leave me this
way. The only way I can think of you is as 'The Lady with the
Butterflies,' and it is too cumbersome a title. It sounds like the name
of a picture. It is such a catalogue-y title."

"It is really," she agreed with him. "There is no doubt about it. I am
sorry," demurely, black lashes again on cheeks of cream, no, carnation.
She did not mention her name and Hayden's face fell.

"I wonder if you know my cousin, Kitty Hampton," he said at a venture.

"My pumpkin coach!" she exclaimed, moving toward the door.

"But my reward!" he cried. "I refuse to let you go without bestowing it.
It is not honest."

She sighed and she smiled, she flushed and wavered. "Then take this
assurance," she said, as one driven to a corner. "Believe me when I tell
you that when you wish to see me I shall not be hard to find. I have
reason to think that you will find it very easy."

[Illustration]

CHAPTER IV

Although Hayden proved himself reluctantly