ossible, and finally got out of him that he had no tidings whatever for
nearly a year. "No news was good news," he had tried to persuade
himself, and the last thing he'd heard, Marcel was doing pretty well in
the Argentine. When I'd worked up to mentioning the brilliant comet
calling itself de Moncourt which has suddenly appeared in French skies,
the old boy reflected, then gave it as his opinion that it can hardly be
_our_ Marcel who has lanced himself upon this adventure. Unless, of
course, Marcel Junior felt it his duty--or his pleasure--to give up his
personal interests and join the French Army! That suggestion (mine)
struck and rather pleased Moncourt. But in spite of it, we both agree
that, considering all things, Marcel wouldn't dare tempt Providence by
taking the bold line ascribed to the "rich new American cousin" of the
Marquise de Moncourt and her family. Besides, if he were in the army,
and on leave, Miss Moore's friend wouldn't speak of him as an American,
would she? However, write circumspectly to the man you mention in Paris
and try to make sure, as that will be best for all concerned.

As for my affairs, they go vilely. Having sown dragon's teeth all my
life I now expect to reap strawberries and cream, so I suppose I can't
complain if I don't get them.

Yours ever,
P. S.

XVIII

MOLLY WINSTON TO LORD AND LADY LANE

_New London._

DEAR DUET:

I nearly said "dear people," but Aunt Mary used to impress upon me when
I was small that _two_ could not be called "people." "People" must mean
a "company or crowd"; and I used to addle my infantine brain wondering
how it could be that "two was a company," if two _couldn't_ be a crowd,
yet a company and a crowd were the same thing. Two must be spoken of as
"persons" according to Aunt M., and I can't address you as "Dear
Persons," can I?

You will judge from this prelude that I have come into Aunt Mary-zone
again. Well, I have: we have not visited her yet; but she has been to
New York on business and I know just how old I am, how many freckles I
have on my nose, that my hair is shades darker than it used to be, and
that I must have gained at least an inch round my waist since we saw
each other last. As for Jack, she wonders I let him tear about the
country the way we are doing. Her opinion is that he would be better off
in