to the springs of the same name, where girls came and had "the time of
their lives." Afterward we wandered about and made love to the Zoo
animals, and at last saw them fed. When the lions and tigers had
finished their glorious roaring, which seemed to bring the desert and
the jungle near, it was almost five o'clock, so we had tea at the
crescent-shaped tea house, in front of the Mappin Terraces. I lingered
over my strawberries as long as I decently could, because, though I
searched hard for it, there seemed to be no bored look on Captain
March's face. When I did reluctantly say, "I suppose I'd better go
home?" he actually had the air of being sorry.

"It's been the nicest day I ever lived in," I told him.

"I've enjoyed every minute of it, too," said he. "What a pity we can't
polish it off with a dinner and the theatre. Look here, if you'd like
it, Miss Peggy, I guess I can get that old lady I told you of, who's
sailing to-morrow and will take the lace scarf, to go with us as
chaperon. What do you say?"

What could I say? Being a child, it didn't matter showing the wildest
delight. There are some advantages in being a child.

He took me home to our lodgings in Chapel Street (which cheaply gave us
the address of Mayfair) and then I had to break it to him that I wasn't
a Miss.

"Good gracious!" he exclaimed, when I began with those words. "Children
don't marry in your country at thirteen, do they?"

I explained that, because my father happened to be an earl, his
daughters had a courtesy title; and when he looked a little shocked, as
if he were wondering whether he had been indiscreet, I nodded toward the
house, as our taxicab stopped before the insignificant green door. "You
see by where we live how unimportant we are!" I excused myself in such a
pleading voice that he laughed. Then he flashed away to make
arrangements for the evening--_our_ evening!

The landlady had a telephone, and presently I got the message which
Captain March had told me to expect. Mrs. Jewitt had consented to dine
and go to the theatre. Would I like the Savoy, and to see "Milestones"
afterward? And was I sure this business wouldn't get me into trouble
to-morrow?

If it had sent me into penal servitude for life, I shouldn't have
hesitated; but I replied that my sister would forgive me for the sake of
the American Embassy ball. I knew Di could be counted on, in the
exceptional circumstances, not to tell Father; but I didn't mention that
d