airyland which would continue till the end of days.

There was even one wonderful evening when Theodora, in a fresh, light
gown which had mysteriously appeared from one of Mrs. Farrington's
trunks, and Billy, in a brand-new suit and immaculate tie, went with
Mrs. Farrington to hear Calve and the De Reszkes sing _Carmen_. After
that, the rest was rather of the nature of an anticlimax, and Theodora
spent the next day in a grove of paper, transporting Marianne and Violet
to the Metropolitan Opera House in a blaze of diamonds and yards of
white silk gowns.

On the following morning, she was still deep in this pleasant task. The
rain was sweeping against the windows; yet, in imagination, Violet was
cantering through one of the bridle paths in the Park, with Gerald at
her side, when Mrs. Farrington came into the room.

"May I interrupt you, Teddy?" she asked, with the gentle courtesy which
made Theodora feel so grown-up and elegant.

Theodora threw aside her pen.

"What is it?" she asked with alacrity.

"Nothing very pleasant, for I shall have to send you out in this storm.
I've just taken Will down to Joe Everard's to spend the morning, and I
promised to call for him, this noon. When I came back, I found a note
from Mrs. Keith, asking me to come to lunch, to meet one of our
California cousins. Do you feel as if you could go down in the carriage
and come back with Will? I hate to have him alone, in case anything
happens."

Theodora laughed contentedly.

"What an idea! Of course I'll go. I always love to drive, you know.
Where's the place?"

"Away down town, near Washington Square. You'd better go right down
Fifth Avenue. I'll dress, then, and go to Mrs. Keith's; and then send
the carriage back for you, if you'll be ready."

Theodora went back to her writing, and the moments slid away only too
rapidly. Whatever was the result of her labors, she enjoyed them keenly.
All through the winter, though Phebe scolded and Allyn teased and the
world about her went awry, she had been able to forget it all in the
adventures of her imaginary friends, the tale of whose doings had come
to be bulky and dog's-eared from frequent readings. She was still busy
over her work, when Patrick came to the door.

"The carriage is here, Miss Theodora."

She quickly put on her hat and coat. Patrick banged the carriage door
behind her and mounted the box beside the driver, and they drove away.
It was the first time she had driven out in soli