e like a dream, but I feel this morning as if I had awakened from
it."

"Well, I have made some good resolutions; and when the time comes, I
intend to keep them. To-day, however, is predestined to folly, and I
may as well have my share in it. When my conscience pricks me a little
I always enjoy my pleasures the most. You know what is said about
stolen fruit; it is that kind of a feeling. Why did Antony go to New
York? Did he tell you that I had snubbed him the other day?"

"He never talks of you, Rose. Did you go to Mrs. Van Praagh's tea?"

"Unfortunately, I did."

"Was it not pleasant?"

"Do you know the kind of tea, where everybody calls every one else
'dear'?"

Yanna laughed.

"That explains the function. We were all women, and we were all
'dear.' No men were present but Grandfather Praagh and the young
Adolphus."

She spoke scornfully, and Yanna said: "I thought you rather admired
Adolphus Van Praagh."

"I did, until I met him at various tennis parties. Then I saw that he
always wore dingy flannels. Is there anything more levelling in a
man's dress than dingy flannels? Now, Harry's tennis suits are fresh,
if he puts two suits on every day, to achieve the result. I think
Harry is handsome in white flannels. Don't you?"

"Very handsome. Were the Bleeker Van Praaghs there?"

"Of course they were. Van Praaghs always flock together, and have done
so, generation after generation."

"I think that is a fine family trait."

"I think so, too--for the family. Personally, I could have wished more
of the Milton and Kent and Bannerman element, and less of the Van
Praaghs. But I did not remain long. Nelly Milton wore a fetching
costume. She said it was a Redfern marvel. I noticed nothing else, but
that every one had feather boas round their necks, and that in
consequence the doorsteps were strewn with feathers. I hope Antony
will come to the ball. Do you think he will dance with me?"

"No."

"But with me? And in that dress!"

"I am sure he will not dance. He would rather lead a 'forlorn hope' or
ride a hundred miles after hostile Indians, than go through a dance.
It seems, even to me, so absurd to think of _men_ mincing and capering
about a room. I could sooner fancy Antony playing 'How Far to
Babylon?' with the little children in the street."

"Nevertheless, I shall make him dance."

"I am sure you will not, Rose. Do not try. You will only wound and
pain him, and disappoint yourself."

"We shall see."