erfully. "Is that you? Don't go. Don't go."

He was at the doorway before she could reach it. He had been dining out
with some masculine friends--"old college chums," he had explained when
announcing the situation--and was in evening dress.

"Don't go," he repeated. "What's the hurry? Wait a minute and I'll join
you."

He removed his overcoat and silk hat and tossed them carelessly upon the
hall table. The hat fell to the floor, but he did not heed it. Then he
entered the library.

"What!" he exclaimed. "Alone? Burning the midnight oil and all that sort
of thing. Where is old--er--where's your father?"

Gertrude replied that her father had retired. She was about to do so,
she added. It was untrue, but she was not in the mood for a conversation
with anyone, least of all with Cousin Percy.

Cousin Percy, however, appeared decidedly conversational. His face was a
trifle flushed and he smiled more than seemed necessary.

"Well," he observed, "this is an unexpected pleasure. Didn't expect to
find anyone up at this hour."

Gertrude curtly remarked that it was not late.

"I didn't mean up, I meant in. Did I say 'up'? Most extraordinary. I
thought you and Mrs. Dott were playing the political game this evening.
Expected to find you out and old--the respected captain, I mean--in the
arms of--what's his name?--Morpheus. That's all right, though; that's
all right. So much the better. We can talk--you and I."

"I don't feel like talking. You must excuse me."

"What? Don't feel like talking? Cruel! Why not? It isn't late; you said
so yourself."

"I know but--really, you must excuse me."

She was moving toward the door, but again he stepped in her way.

"Now, Gertie," he said. Then he broke into a laugh. "Called you Gertie,
didn't I?" he said. "Beg pardon. Quite unintentional. It slipped out
before I thought. But you don't mind, do you? It's a pretty name. Just a
little bit less formal than Gertrude, eh? Don't you think so--Gertie?"

Gertrude hesitated. She was humiliated and angry, but she did not wish
a scene. Her parents might hear and her mother must on no account be
disturbed.

"Perhaps it is," she answered.

"Then you don't mind?"

"No. Now, Percy, you must excuse me. Goodnight!"

"Wait! Wait! Gertie, I have something to say to you. Been wanting to say
it for a long time, but haven't had the opportunity. You have kept out
of my way. Ha! ha! you know you have. Perhaps you guessed I wanted to
say it. Was th