ce?"

"No; going out for it, thank you;" and she put her hand into his
outstretched one. She watched him step into his carriage; he turned and
raised his hat again,--a trifling circumstance that Ruth dwelt upon with
pleasure; a second glance always presupposes an interested first.

He did not fail to keep his promise; and once on the lookout for "cases"
herself, Ruth soon found enough irons in the fire to occupy her spare
moments.

Mrs. Levice, however, insisted upon her resuming her place in society.

"A young girl must not withdraw herself from her sphere, or people will
either consider her eccentric or will forget her entirely. Don't be
unreasonable, Ruth; there is no reason why you should not enjoy every
function in our circle, and Louis is always happy to take you. When
he asked you if you would go with him to the Art Exhibition on Friday
night, I heard you say you did not know. Now why?"

"Oh, that? I never gave it a second's thought. I promised Father to go
with him in the afternoon; I did not consider it worth an explanation."

"But, you see, I did. It looks very queer for Louis to be travelling
around by himself; couldn't you go again in the evening with him?"

"Of course, you over-thoughtful aunt. If the pictures are good, a second
visit will not be thrown away,--that is, if Louis is really anxious for
my companionship. But, 'I doubt it, I doubt it, I do.'"

"What nonsense!" returned her mother, somewhat testily. "Why shouldn't
he be? You are always amiable together, are you not?"

"Well," she said, knitting her brows and pursing her lips drolly, "that,
methinks, depends on the limits and requirements of amiability. If
disputation showeth a friendly spirit, then is my lord overfriendly;
for it oft hath seemed of late to pleasure his mood to wax disputations,
though, in sooth, lady fair, I have always maintained a wary and
decorous demeanor."

"I can imagine," laughed her mother, a little anxiously; "then you will
go?"

"Why not?"

If Arnold really cared for the outcome of such manoeuvres, Mrs. Levice's
exertions bore some fruit.

Chapter VIII

There are few communities, comparatively speaking, with more
enthusiastic theatre-lovers than are to be found in San Francisco. The
play was one of the few worldly pleasures that Mr. Levice thoroughly
enjoyed. When a great star was heralded, he was in a feverish delight
until it had come and gone. When Bernhardt appeared, the quiet little
man fully