nd for thee. Go fetch my
father. He would not miss this sight."

"What does he say?" asked Leighton.

Lewis blushed as people stopped and added their sparkling eyes to those
of the crowd already gathered.

"He calls you a porter, and bids you fetch his father to see the sight."

"Ask him," said Leighton, calmly, "shall I know him who he thinks is his
father by his horns?"

Lewis translated innocently enough. The crowd gasped, and then roared
with laughter. The youth in Paris clothes turned purple with rage, shook
his little cane at Leighton, and burst into abusive language.

"Why," cried Lewis--"why, what's the matter with him?"

"I'm sure I don't know," said Leighton, pensively. "And just now he was
so dignified!"

A private sedan-chair, borne by four splendid blacks, swung by at a run.
As it passed, one of its silk curtains was drawn aside and the face of a
woman, curious to see the reason of the crowd, looked out. The face was
clear white, blue-veined, red-lipped; under the black eyes were shadows.
A slight smile curved the red lips as the shadowy eyes fell upon
Leighton and Lewis.

Leighton went tense, like a hound in leash.

"Look, boy!" he cried. "A patrician passes!"

The lady heard, understood. The smile, that was half-disdain, deepened.
She bowed slightly, but graciously. The curtain fell.

"Come, boy," said Leighton, "we can't stand that. Let's go find a
tailor."

"Dad," said Lewis, "do you know her? She bowed."

"She did, God bless her!" said Leighton. "No, I don't know her; but
let's think kindly of her, for she has added a charming memory to life."

CHAPTER XV

Four days later Lewis sat beside his bed, piled high with all the
paraphernalia that go to make up a gentleman's wardrobe and toilet. He
was very nervous--so nervous that he had passed an hour striding from
one side of the small bedroom to the other, making up his mind to try to
carry out his father's instructions, which were simply to go to his room
and dress. Lewis had never in his life put on a collar or knotted a tie.

He answered a knock on the door with a cry of dismay. Leighton strode
into the room.

"Well, what's the matter?"

Lewis looked ruefully from his father's face to the things on the bed
and back again. He felt himself flushing painfully. He opened his mouth
to speak and then closed it.

Suddenly Leighton's face lit up. He laughed.

"Well, well," he cried, "this is splendid! You've given me a new
se