e statue. But it is proper to fan one's self when
one has done dancing--so she waved the fan. Besides, it was a Van Kraut
heir-loom. It came from Amsterdam. It was studded with jewels. It was
part of the property.

As for Abel, he turned and bowed profoundly to Miss Wayne. Of course she
knew that people were looking. She bowed as if to a mere acquaintance.
Abel said a few words, signifying nothing, to his partner, then he
remarked to Miss Wayne that he was very glad indeed to meet her again;
that he had not called because he knew she had been making a convent
of her aunt's house--making herself a nun--a Sister of Charity, he did
not doubt, doing good as she always did--making every body in the world
happy, as she could not help doing, and so forth.

Abel rattled on, he did not know why; but he did know that his Uncle
Lawrence, and Amy Waring, and Mr. Merlin heard every thing he said. Hope
looked at him calmly, and listened to the gay cascade of talk.

The music was still playing; Mr. Van Boozenberg spoke to Lawrence
Newt; Amy Waring said that she saw her Aunt Bennet. Would Mr. Merlin
take her to her aunt?--he should return to his worship in one moment. Mr.
Merlin was very gallant, and replied with spirit that when her worship
returned--here he made a low bow--his would. As they moved away Amy
Waring laughed at him, and said that men would compliment as long as--as
women are lovely, interpolated Mr. Merlin. Arthur also wished to know
what speech was good for, if not to say the sweetest things; and so they
were lost to view, still gayly chatting with the pleasant freedom of a
young man and woman who know that they are not in love with each other,
and are perfectly content not to be so, because--whether they know it or
not--they are each in love with somebody else.

This movement had taken place as Abel was finishing his scattering volley
of talk.

"Yes," said he, as he saw that he was not overheard, and sinking his
voice into that tone of tender music which Hope so well remembered--"yes,
making every body in the world happy but one person."

His airy persiflage had not pleased Hope Wayne. The sudden modulation
into sentiment offended her. Before she replied--indeed she had no
intention of replying--the round eyes of Mrs. Van Kraut informed her
partner that she was ready for another turn, and forth they whirled upon
the floor.

"I jes' sez to Mrs. Dagon, you know, ma'am, sez I, I don't like to see a
young man like