ld possibly have thought of
marrying him then; whereas now of course every woman is trying for him.
Oh, Susy, whatever you do, don't miss your chance! You can't conceive
of the wicked plotting and intriguing there will be to get him--on all
sides, and even where one least suspects it. You don't know what horrors
women will do-and even girls!" A shudder ran through her at the thought,
and she caught Susy's wrists in vehement fingers. "But I can't think,
my dear, why you don't announce your engagement at once. People are
beginning to do it, I assure you--it's so much safer!"

Susy looked at her, wondering. Not a word of sympathy for the ruin of
her brief bliss, not even a gleam of curiosity as to its cause! No
doubt Ellie Vanderlyn, like all Susy's other friends, had long since
"discounted" the brevity of her dream, and perhaps planned a sequel to
it before she herself had seen the glory fading. She and Nick had spent
the greater part of their few weeks together under Ellie Vanderlyn's
roof; but to Ellie, obviously, the fact meant no more than her own
escapade, at the same moment, with young Davenant's supplanter--the
"bounder" whom Strefford had never named. Her one thought for her friend
was that Susy should at last secure her prize--her incredible prize. And
therein at any rate Ellie showed the kind of cold disinterestedness that
raised her above the smiling perfidy of the majority of her kind. At
least her advice was sincere; and perhaps it was wise. Why should Susy
not let every one know that she meant to marry Strefford as soon as the
"formalities" were fulfilled?

She did not immediately answer Mrs. Vanderlyn's question; and the
latter, repeating it, added impatiently: "I don't understand you; if
Nick agrees-"

"Oh, he agrees," said Susy.

"Then what more do you want! Oh, Susy, if you'd only follow my example!"

"Your example?" Susy paused, weighed the word, was struck by something
embarrassed, arch yet half-apologetic in her friend's expression. "Your
example?" she repeated. "Why, Ellie, what on earth do you mean? Not that
you're going to part from poor Nelson?"

Mrs. Vanderlyn met her reproachful gaze with a crystalline glance. "I
don't want to, heaven knows--poor dear Nelson! I assure you I simply
hate it. He's always such an angel to Clarissa... and then we're used
to each other. But what in the world am I to do? Algie's so rich, so
appallingly rich, that I have to be perpetually on the watch to keep
oth