ent," he said, with such a charming air of
apology that Patty had to smile.

"I forgive the impertinence," she returned, "but you are making real
trouble for me."

"What do you mean?" he cried, looking dismayed.

"I mean that I am your aunt's companion, and trying to earn my living
thereby. Now if you persist in secretly coming to the house,--pardon me
if I am frank,--and if you persist in sending foolish notes to me, your
aunt will not let me stay here, and I shall lose a good position through
your unkindness."

Patty was very much in earnest, and her words were sincere, but her
innate sense of humour couldn't fail to see the ridiculous side of it
all, and the corners of her mouth dimpled though she kept her eyes
resolutely cast down.

"It's a shame the way she keeps you tied to her apron string," he blurted
out, uncertain whether Patty was coquetting, or really distressed.

"Not at all," she replied. "I'm here to attend on her pleasure, and my
place is by her side whenever she wants me there."

"How can any one help wanting you there?" broke out Philip, so
explosively that Patty, instead of being offended, burst into a ringing
laugh.

"Oh, you are too funny!" she exclaimed. "Mrs. Van Reypen said you were
given to saying things like that to everybody."

"I don't say them to everybody!"

"Yes, you do; your aunt says so. But now that you've said it to me, won't
you go away and stay away?"

"How long?"

Patty thought quickly. "Till next Friday--a week from to-day."

"Oh, you want to get acclimatised, all by yourself!"

"Yes," said Patty, demurely, "I do. And if you'll only keep away,--you
know your aunt asked you not to come back for a week,--if you'll keep
away till next Friday, I'll never ask you another favour."

"Huh! that's no inducement. I love to have you ask me favours."

"Well, then, I never shall if you don't grant this first one."

"And if I do?"

"If you do I'll promise you almost anything you ask."

"That's a large order! Well, if I stay away from this house until you get
solid with Aunty Van----"

"I said a week."

"Well, to-day's Friday. If I stay away a week will you persuade aunty to
invite me to dinner next Friday night?"

"I will."

"Can you persuade her to do that?"

"I'm sure I can by that time."

Patty's eyes were dancing. She had come to Mrs. Van Reypen's on Thursday.
She would, therefore, leave on Thursday, and she was sure that lady would
have no objections to inv