"That's it," replied his companion. "Louise Dufrayer. Well, sir, as I
was going on to remark, when first I was acquainted with her, she was
just as sweet as she could be; yes, indeed; why, she was just dandy.
But she hasn't behaved a bit pretty--I presume you heard tell of what
took place here this fall?"

"Then you know Miss Dufrayer?"

"Yes, indeed. But I don't see her any more, an' I guess I don't want
to. Not but what I've heard she feels pretty mean about it now--beg
pardon?--how I know? Why, indeed, the other day, Schwarz come in an'
told us how she's moping what she can--moping herself to death--if I
recollect, those were his very words. Yes, indeed. She don't take
lessons no more, I presume. I think she should go right away from this
city. It ain't possible to be acquainted with her any more, for all
she's so lonesome, an' one feels sort of bad about it, yes, indeed. But
momma, the last thing she said to me was: 'Now EI'nor Martin, just keep
your eyes open, an' don't get acquainted with people you might feel bad
about afterwards.' An' I presume momma was right. I don't-- Oh, say, do
look at her, isn't she a peach?"--this, as her pretty friend, with Dove
in tow, came gliding up to them. "Say, Susie Fay, are you acquainted
with Mr. Guest?"

"MR. Guest. Pleased to know you," said Susie cordially; and Miss Martin
was good-natured enough to skate off with Dove, leaving Maurice to her
friend.

But afterwards, at the bench, as he was undoing Madeleine's skates, he
overheard pretty Susie remark, without much care to moderate her voice:
"Say, EI'nor Martin, that's the quietest sort of young man I've ever
shown round a district. Why, seems to me, he couldn't say 'shoh.' Guess
you shouldn't have left us, EI'nor."

And Miss Martin guessed so, too.

VII.

When he had seen Madeleine home, Maurice returned to his room, and not
feeling inclined to sleep, sat down to read. But his thoughts strayed;
he forgot to turn the page; and sat staring over the book at the
pattern of the tablecloth. Incidents of the evening flashed before him:
Miss Jensen, in James's hat, with her skirts pinned up; Madeleine
earnest and decisive on the bank of snow; the maze and laughter of the
FRANCAISE; Miss Martin's slim, straight figure as he pushed her before
him. He did not try to control these details, nor was he conscious of a
mental effort; they stood out for an instant, as vivid sensations, then
glided by, to make room for ot