; and no wonder, for they were a beautiful pair of feet,
and none ever supported a nobler girl. Then I went on: 'Marie, your
talk is charming. The demand continues. I feel honored by your
confidence. Please go on.'

"'I believe I've been foolish without knowing it,' she said, her smile
beautiful with its sadness.

"'My dear child, if there were no folly in the world it would be a
stupid place, and I for one should want to move,' I said. 'Some never
discover their own follies, and they _are_ hopeless. You are as wise
as you are dear. It's in your power to do a lot of good. Think what
you've already accomplished. I wish you would continue to help us
discourage foolish display in America.

"'Are there any more chestnuts in the fire?' she asked, with a laugh.
'Not that I'm afraid. I suppose the fire is good for me.'

"'Marie, I love your fingers too well to burn them unduly,' I said.
'By the way, I expect that Harry Delance will be wanting to marry you
soon.'

"'Harry!' she exclaimed. 'I talked him to death--and out of the
notion--long ago, and I'm not sorry. He isn't my kind.'

"'Harry's a good fellow,' I insisted.

"'But he's so dreadfully nice--such a hopeless aristocrat! Grandfather
would have a fit. I want a big, full-blooded, brawny chap, who isn't a
slave to his coat and trousers--the kind of man you've talked so much
about--one who could get his hands dirty and be a gentleman. I'm
longing for the outdoor life--and the outdoor man to live it with
me.'

"'Give Harry a chance--his uneducation had only just begun,' I urged.

"I left Marie with a rather serious look in her face, and began to
wonder how I should accomplish the uneducation of Harry.

"That young man came to see me, in a day or two, at our home. My new
set of Smollett lay on the piano, and he greatly admired it. Above all
things Harry loved books, and his specialty was Smollett; he had read
every tale in the series, at college, and made a mark with his thesis
on 'The Fathers of English Fiction.' He spent an hour of delight with
those books of mine. Then he said to me:

"'Only fifty copies printed?'

"'Only fifty,' I said.

"'Could I get a set?'

"'All sold,' I assured him, 'but I shall be glad to give these books
to you on two conditions.'

"He turned in astonishment.

"'They can do you no further harm, and my first request is that you do
not lend them. My second is that you take them home in my wheelbarrow
by daylight with your own ha