to give it up."

Ruth, still sore with disappointment, acknowledged this philosophic
remark with a curled lip.

"There, save your tears for something more worthy," cut in Levice,
briskly; "if you care so much about it, we or chance must arrange it as
you wish."

But chance in this instance was not propitious. Wednesday came, and
Arnold saw no way of accommodating her. He left town after taking her to
see the "Fool's Revenge" as a sort of substitution.

"You seemed to be enjoying the poor Fool's troubles last night,"
observed Dr. Kemp, in the morning; they were still standing in Mrs.
Levice's room.

"I? Not enjoying his troubles; I enjoyed Booth, though,--if you can call
it enjoyment when your heart is ready to break for him. Were you there?
I did not see you."

"No, I don't suppose you did, or you would have been in the pitiable
condition of the princess who had her head turned. I sat directly back
of your box, in the dress-circle. Then you like Booth?"

"Take care! That is a dangerous subject with my family," broke in Mrs.
Levice. "Ruth has actually exhausted every adjective in her admiration
vocabulary. The last extravaganza I heard from her on that theme was
after she had seen him as Brutus; she wished herself Lucius, that in the
tent scene she might kiss Booth's hand."

"It sounds gushing enough for a school-girl now," laughed Ruth merrily,
looking up at the doctor; "but at the time I meant it."

"Have you seen him in all his impersonations?" he asked.

"In everything but 'Shylock.'"

"You will have a chance for that on Saturday night. It will be a great
farewell performance."

"Undoubtedly, but I shall have to forego that last glimpse of him."

"Now, Doctor," cried Mrs. Levice, "will you please impress it on her
that I am not a lunatic and can be left alone without fear? She wishes
to go Saturday night, but refuses to go with her father on the ground
that I shall be left alone, as Mr. Arnold is out of town. Is not that
being unnecessarily solicitous?"

"Without doubt. But," he added, turning deferentially to Ruth, "in lieu
of a better escort, how would I do, Miss Levice?"

"I do not understand."

"Will you come with me Saturday night to see 'Shylock'?"

To be candid, Ruth was embarrassed. The doctor had said neither "will
you honor me" nor "will you please me," but he had both pleased and
honored her. She turned a pair of radiant eyes to her mother. "Come
now, Mrs. Levice," laughed Kemp, notin