decide the question of marrying Millard she might have some sign to
guide her, and now the happy face of Wilhelmina seemed the very omen she
had sought.

"And you haven't made up your mind to reject me?" said Millard.

The answer this time was longer than ever in coming.

"No; no, Mr. Millard."

Millard paused before putting the next question. "I'm going away, you
know, on Saturday. May I get out of that last answer all that I wish to,
Phillida?"

The parasol trembled in her hand, and perceiving that it betrayed her
she ceased to push the ground and let go of the staff, grasping the edge
of the seat instead. Millard could see her frame tremble, and in his
eagerness he scarcely breathed. With visible effort she at length
slowly raised her flushed face until her gaze encountered his. But
utterance died on her lips. Either from some inclination of the head or
from some assent in her eyes Millard understood her unuttered answer to
be in the affirmative. He lifted her hand from the seat beside him and
gently kissed it. And then as he held it he presently felt her fingers
grasp his hand ever so lightly. It was answer enough. A noisy party was
coming down the steps toward them.

"Now, Phillida dear, we must go," he said, rising. "Your mother will not
know what has detained us."

Phillida looked up playfully as they walked away, and said, her voice
still husky with feeling:

"Agatha will be sure to guess."

XII.

PHILIP.

Philip Gouverneur, passing the Graydon on his return from a
dinner-party, thought to make a farewell call on Millard. He encountered
Charley in the elevator, just coming home from an evening with Phillida,
his face aglow with pleasure.

"Fancied I should find you packing," Philip said. "I thought as you
would cross the Alps for the first time I'd come and give you a few
points. If I were not so lazy and inefficient I believe I should go with
you and 'personally conduct' you."

"That would be jolly. Come over in three or four weeks and I'll be quits
with London. We'll engage a traveled English valet together, and journey
in comfort. I will follow your lead and go anywhere."

"No; I shall not get over this year."

They entered Millard's rooms, where things were in a state of upheaval,
but orderly even in their upheaval. Seating themselves for half an hour
by the open windows they talked of things to be seen in Europe. Then
Philip, remembering that his friend had much to do, rose to g