r known what it meant not to have
wisdom," he retorted. "Tell me about everybody," he went on. "Your
husband, he is well, of course, and distressfully rich. I heard of him
in New York. And Page, our little, solemn Minerva of Dresden china?"

"Oh, yes, Page is well, but you will hardly recognise her; such a young
lady nowadays."

"And Mr. Court, 'Landry'? I remember he always impressed me as though
he had just had his hair cut; and the Cresslers, and Mrs. Wessels,
and--"

"All well. Mrs. Cressler will be delighted to hear you are back. Yes,
everybody is well."

"And, last of all, Mrs. Jadwin? But I needn't ask; I can see how well
and happy you are."

"And Mr. Corthell," she queried, "is also well and happy?"

"Mr. Corthell," he responded, "is very well, and--tolerably--happy,
thank you. One has lost a few illusions, but has managed to keep enough
to grow old on. One's latter days are provided for."

"I shouldn't imagine," she told him, "that one lost illusions in Tuscan
gardens."

"Quite right," he hastened to reply, smiling cheerfully. "One lost no
illusions in Tuscany. One went there to cherish the few that yet
remained. But," he added, without change of manner, "one begins to
believe that even a lost illusion can be very beautiful sometimes--even
in Chicago."

"I want you to dine with us," said Laura. "You've hardly met my
husband, and I think you will like some of our pictures. I will have
all your old friends there, the Cresslers and Aunt Wess, and all. When
can you come?"

"Oh, didn't you get my note?" he asked. "I wrote you yesterday, asking
if I might call to-night. You see, I am only in Chicago for a couple of
days. I must go on to St. Louis to-morrow, and shall not be back for a
week."

"Note? No, I've had no note from you. Oh, I know what happened. Curtis
left in a hurry this morning, and he swooped all the mail into his
pocket the last moment. I knew some of my letters were with his.
There's where your note went. But, never mind, it makes no difference
now that we've met. Yes, by all means, come to-night--to dinner. We're
not a bit formal. Curtis won't have it. We dine at six; and I'll try to
get the others. Oh, but Page won't be there, I forgot. She and Landry
Court are going to have dinner with Aunt Wess', and they are all going
to a lecture afterwards."

The artist expressed his appreciation and accepted her invitation.

"Do you know where we live?" she demanded. "You know we've moved sin