o fond of mangoes," Alicia said.

"Was she? 'The passengers got up two dances, and quite a number of
gentlemen invited me, but I declined with thanks, though I would not say
it is wrong in itself.'" Lindsay seemed to waver; her glance went
near enough to him to show her that his face had a red tinge of
embarrassment. He looked at the letter uncertainly, on the point of
folding it up.

"You see she hasn't danced for so long," Alicia put in quickly; "she
would naturally hesitate about beginning again with anybody but you. I
shouldn't wonder," she added gently, "if she never does, with anybody
else."

"I know it's an idea some women have," he replied. "I think it's
rather--nice."

"And her impressions of the Simpsons--and Plymouth?"

"She goes on to that." He reconsulted the letter. "'Mr. and Mrs. Simpson
met me as expected and welcomed me very affably.' She has got hold of
a wrong impression there, I fancy; the Simpsons couldn't be 'affable.'
'They seem very kind and pleasant for such stylish people, and their
house is lovely, with electric light in the parlour and hot and cold
water throughout. They seem very earnest people and have family prayers
regularly, but I have not yet been asked to lead. Four servants come in
to prayers. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson are deeply interested in the work of
the Army, though I think Plymouth as a whole is more taken up with the
C.M.S.; but we cannot have all things.' Dear me, yes! I remember those
evangelical teas and the disappointment that I could not speak more
definitely about the work among the Sontalis."

"Fancy her having caught the spirit of the place already!" exclaimed
Alicia. "He went on: 'Mr. and Mrs. Simpson have a beautiful garden and
grow most of their own vegetables. We sit in it a great deal and I think
of all that has passed. I hope ever that it has been for the best and
pray for you always. Oh that your feet may be set in the right path and
that we may walk hand in hand upon the way to Zion!'" Lindsay lowered
his voice and read the last sentences rapidly, as if the propulsion
of the first part of the letter sent him through them. Then he stopped
abruptly, and Alicia looked up.

"That's all, only," he added, with an awkward smile, "the usual
formula."

"'God bless you'?" she asked, and he nodded.

"It has a more genuine ring than most formulas," she observed.

"Yes, hasn't it? May I have another cup?" He restored the pink sheet to
its pink envelope, and both to