g true. "Nothing can
_ever_ shake it! And I apologise for my foolish anger. If you want to
affect the society of men I don't like,--of course I've no right to
say a word, and I won't. At any rate, not now, for I don't want to
spoil this blessed making-up with even a thought of anything
unpleasant."

"Now, that's real nice of you, Philip," and Patty fairly beamed at
him. "It's so nice to be friends again, after being near-not-friends!"

"Yes, milady, and you made up just in time. Aunty Van is having an
opera party to-morrow night, and she wants you to go."

"Are you going?" and Patty put her fingertip in her mouth, and looked
babyishly at him.

"Oh, don't let that influence you. Decide for yourself."

"Well, since _you_ don't care whether I go or not, I believe I won't
go."

"Foolish child! Of course you'll go. And then, as you know very well,
wild horses couldn't keep me away."

"How do wild horses keep people away? They must be trained to do it.
And _then_, they're not wild horses any more."

"What foolishness you do talk! Well, will you go to the opera with
us?"

"Yes, and thank you kindly, sir. Or, rather, I thank your august aunt
for the invitation."

"No, thank me. As a matter of fact, I made up the party. So it's
really mine, though I accept Aunty Van's box for the occasion."

"'Tis well, fair sir. I thank thee greatly. What may I do for thee in
return?"

Patty clasped her hands and looked a pretty suppliant, begging a
favour.

"Give me half a dozen more dances," replied Philip, taking her card to
look at.

"Not one left," said Patty, calmly.

"And most of them halves!" exclaimed Philip. "What a belle you are,
Patty!"

"All the girls are," she returned, carelessly, which, however, was not
quite true. "But I'll tell you what I will do. I'll give you half of
number sixteen. That's Mr. Everson's, but I'll divide it. I told him I
should."

"You little witch! Did you save it for me?"

"M--m----," and Patty slowly wagged her head up and down.

"That was dear of you! But don't you think for a minute that's all I'm
going to have! There'll be an extra or two, and I claim them all!"

"Hear the man talk!" exclaimed Patty. "Why, I do believe they're
beginning an extra now! Mr. Van Reypen, won't you dance it with me?"
Patty jumped up and stood before him, lightly swaying in time to the
music.

Philip sat looking at her, entranced by the pretty vision; and even
before he could rise, Kenneth Harper