ght. "I want to forget
the whole subject,--let's talk of other things."

"All right,--let's. Let's talk of my unworthy self, for instance."

"Why do you say your 'unworthy self'? Because you so look on yourself?
or for the sake of being contradicted? or just for nonsense?"

The brown eyes smiled into his, and Azalea looked very roguish and
saucy as she demanded an answer.

"Habit, I daresay. It's considered the thing for one to look upon
himself as unworthy. Of course, I'm not all to the bad!"

"No, I suppose not. I've noticed saving graces now and then."

"You have! What, for instance? You see, I love to talk about myself!"

"Well, for one thing, you've been very kind to me. I was in a sorry
position to-day, and you and Cousin William backed me up so beautifully,
that I pulled through. If you hadn't I'd have collapsed and given up the
game, in sheer fright."

"What do you mean?"

"Yes; Patty was pretty hostile at first,--though she came round all
right, later. Elise was,--oh, well, you know Elise's attitude toward
me."

"Don't mind her,--she's always got a chip on her shoulder!"

"Betty was reserving decision, too; and but for the strong support of
you and Cousin William,--yes, and Ray Gale,--I shouldn't have come off
so well. But I deserved any fate. I _have_ been bad,--and though I am
sorry,--that doesn't wipe it all out."

"It does, as far as I'm concerned. And I'm all that matters--at
least,--I wish I might be all that matters."

"My gracious! There are lots who matter more than you! Patty and Bill,
and Fleurette and--"

"Stop there! That's all! I'll concede those,--but no others. Don't you
dare say that Gale matters more than I do!"

"Ray Gale? Oh, I don't know. And what do you mean by 'matters'?"

"Counts. Makes a difference. Affects you. Means something to you."

"Oh, hold on! I'm floundering beyond my depth! Help! help!"

Azalea put her hands over her ears and shook her head, laughing at Van
Reypen's earnest face as he racked his brain for further explanatory
phrases.

"I won't stop! I'm in earnest. I _want_ to matter--to mean something to
you! I want to count with you--"

"Kipling says, 'let all men count with you, and none too much.'"

"Well, I'd rather count too much than not at all. Oh, Azalea,--you do
understand me, don't you? Let me count, dear,--let me count for
everything in your life--"

Azalea Thorpe couldn't believe her ears. What Van Reypen was saying
seemed as if it coul