ned to wear your heart on your
sleeve?"

"Charmion, aren't you the least little bit inclined to be hard?"

She agreed with unflinching candour.

"I am. It's the safer plan if one doesn't want to be hurt!"

"But--what about the other people? Mayn't they be hurt instead?"

She looked at me gravely for a moment, then with a smile which grew
gradually broad and roguish.

"We ought to strike a happy mean between us, eh, Evelyn? You are all
credulity and gush, and I refuse to disturb myself about other people,
or their affairs."

"That's not true! You disturbed yourself about me!"

"Because it affected myself. I had grown fond of you, and so you
entered into my life. Pure selfishness, my dear!"

"I don't believe it! I won't believe it! It's no good trying to
disillusion me, Charmion. I've put you on a topmost pinnacle, and it
would take a mighty effort to tumble you down!"

"Dear thing!" murmured Charmion fondly. "Well--suppose we talk of the
drawing-room walls? I'm a great believer in occupying oneself with the
next step. Revelations of character will follow in due course--I plump
for white!"

"White certainly. A warm cream white, with not a touch of blue in it.
And the prevailing colour?"

"Let's count three quickly, and then each say what we think!"

We counted, and the two words leapt crisply forth.

"Rose!" said I.

"Purple!" said Charmion. Then we looked at one another beneath puckered
brows.

"Rose lights up better!"

"Purple is more uncommon."

"Rose is more cheerful in winter!"

"Purple is restful in summer!"

It seemed for a moment as if we had reached an _impasse_, then came an
illuminating thought.

"Why not--both? They harmonise well. Purple curtains and carpet--the
plain colour, very soft and subdued, and cushions and shades of the
right rose. With our united treasures we ought to have a lovely room.
Where _are_ your things, Charmion?"

"Stored," she said shortly. "I tried a house for a few months, but it
was too lonely an experience. But I have a passion for beautiful
furniture. It has amused me to pick up good specimens here and there.
Now we shall enjoy them together! Wait till you see my Spanish leather
screen!"

"Wait till you see my Chinese cabinet!" I retorted, and we talked
"things" industriously for the next hour.

After luncheon Charmion settled herself to write business letters,
drawing a big screen round her writing-table, the better, as she
inf