. You know how I
idolise her, but I can't do for her what a mother would do. I've urged
her to have a chaperon or a companion of some sort, but she won't do
it. She says a father is chaperon enough for her, and so we live alone
in that big hotel, and I'm afraid it isn't right. Right for her, I
mean. I don't care a snap about conventions, but Mona is impulsive,
even headstrong, and I wish she had an older woman to guide and advise
her."

"I wish she did, Mr. Galbraith," said Patty, earnestly, for the two
were chatting by themselves, and no one else was within hearing. "I've
thought about it, and I've talked with my stepmother about it. Perhaps
I could persuade Mona to do as you wish her to."

"I hope you can, Patty; I do hope you can. You know, Mona is dignified
and all that, and as proud as they make them. Nobody would dare to
speak to her if she didn't want them to; but, Patty, here's the
trouble. There's a young man at the hotel named Lansing. He's not
especially attractive, and yet, somehow, he has gained Mona's favour.
I have told my girl that I do not like him, but she only laughs and
says carelessly that he's all right. Now, I mustn't detain you longer,
my child; there are people waiting to speak to you. But, some time, I
want to have a little talk to you about this, and perhaps you can help
me in some way. For I believe, Patty, that that Lansing man is trying
to win my girl for the sake of her money. He has all the appearances
of a fortune-hunter, and I can't let Mona throw herself away on such."

"I should think not!" exclaimed Patty, indignantly. And then Mr.
Galbraith moved away to give his place to other guests who were
arriving.

CHAPTER II

AT THE DANCE

At eight o'clock that same evening, Patty came down to her own dinner
party. An hour's rest had freshened her up wonderfully, and she had
changed her little white frock for a dinner gown of pale green
chiffon, sparkling with silver embroidery. It trailed behind her in a
most grown-up fashion, and she entered the drawing-room with an
exaggerated air of dignity.

"Huh," cried Roger; "look at grown-up Patty! Isn't she the haughty
lady? Patty, if you put on such airs, you'll be old before your time!"

"Airs, nothing!" retorted Patty, and with a skipping little dance
step, she crossed the room, picked up a sofa pillow, and aimed it
deftly at Roger, who caught it on the wing.

"That's better," he said. "We can't have any of these _grande dame_