his mouth to
say something, but checked himself, and only flung his discard
down as if he hated the cards.

"Thank you, papa," responded Miss Cullen, "but I think I will
watch you play."

"Now, Madge, don't be foolish," said Mr. Cullen, irritably. "You
might just as well have the pleasure, and you'll only disturb the
game if you stay here."

Miss Cullen leaned over and whispered something, and her father
answered her. Lord Ralles must have heard, for he muttered
something, which made Miss Cullen color up; but much good it did
him, for she turned to me and said, "Since my father doesn't
disapprove, I will gladly accept your hospitality, Mr. Gordon,"
and after a glance at Lord Ralles that had a challenging "I'll do
as I please" in it, she went to get her hat and coat. The whole
incident had not taken ten seconds, yet it puzzled me beyond
measure, even while my heart beat with an unreasonable hope; for
my better sense told me that it simply meant that Lord Ralles
disapproved, and Miss Cullen, like any girl of spirit, was giving
him notice that he was not yet privileged to control her actions.
Whatever the scene meant, his lordship did not like it, for he
swore at his luck the moment Miss Cullen had left the room.

When Miss Cullen returned we went back to the rear platform of
97. I let down the traps, closed the gates, got a camp-stool for
her to sit upon, with a cushion to lean back on, and a footstool,
and fixed her as comfortably as I could, even getting a
travelling-rug to cover her lap, for the plateau air was chilly.
Then I hesitated a moment, for I had the feeling that she had not
thoroughly approved of the thing and therefore she might not like
to have me stay. Yet she was so charming in the moonlight, and
the little balcony the platform made was such a tempting spot to
linger on, while she was there, that it wasn't easy to go.
Finally I asked,--

"You are quite comfortable, Miss Cullen?"

"Sinfully so," she laughed.

"Then perhaps you would like to be left to enjoy the moonlight
and your meditations by yourself?" I questioned. I knew I ought
to have just gone away, but I simply couldn't when she looked so
enticing.

"Do you want to go?" she asked.

"No!" I ejaculated, so forcibly that she gave a little startled
jump in her chair. "That is--I mean," I stuttered, embarrassed by
my own vehemence, "I rather thought you might not want me to
stay."

"What made you think that?" she demanded.

I never