ype had softened it into an exceeding charm. Out of it the
eyes shone with an undaunted spirit which told of hidden fires.

"I am glad a share in the wreckage falls to me," she said softly.

"Nan," he told her, while his lips broke irresistibly into a smile
again, "I believe you are deliberately trying to burn a sweet incense
before me to-night. Just how fragrant it is to a fellow in my shape I
can't tell you. You would never do it if I were on my feet, I appreciate
that; but I'm very grateful just the same."

"I'd like," she said with eyes which fell now to the hands folded in her
lap--and the droop of her head as he saw it, with the turned-away
profile cut like an exquisite silhouette against the fire, was burnt
into his memory afterward--"to have you remember this Christmas Eve--as
I shall."

"Remember it!"

"Shall you?"

"Shall I!"

"Ah--who is deliberately trying to say nice things now?" But she said it
rather faintly.

He lay back among his pillows with a long breath. "So you go to-morrow
morning?"

"Early--at six o'clock. You will not see me. And I must go now. See, it
is after eleven. Think of their making me go out this evening when I
must be up at five and travel the next forty-eight hours. On Christmas
Day, too. Isn't that too bad? But that's the price of my staying over to
spend Christmas Eve with Jerry Fullerton--like the foolish girl that I
am."

She rose and stood before him.

"Would you mind slipping off that--domino?" he requested. "I'd like to
see you just as all the other fellows would have seen you if you had
gone to the Van Antwerps'."

Smiling, and flushing a little, she drew off the silken garment, and the
firelight bathed her softly rounded shoulders and arms in a rosy glow.
He looked at her silently for a minute, until she said again that she
must go, and took a step toward him, smiling down at him and holding out
both hands.

"I don't know how I can spare my friend, when I've just found her," he
said, searching her face with an intentness she found it difficult to
bear. "I suppose I ought not to ask it, but--it's Christmas Eve, you
know--and--you'll give me one more thing to remember--won't you, Nan?"

She bent, like a warm-hearted child, and laid her lips lightly upon his
forehead, but he caught her hands.

"Is that the proper degree for friendship--and you feel that more would
be too much?"

She hesitated; then, as his grasp drew her, she stooped lower, blushing
beautif