ent
to bed and dreamed of Mary.

"On entering the room next morning the first person I saw was Mary.
She was looking adorably fresh and pretty. She sat opposite a stout,
severe-looking dame in black. Directly my eyes alighted on her I
schooled them into a studiously vacant expression. She, poor girl, was
no diplomatist. She started; she glanced anxiously at Miss Dibbs; I
saw her lips move; she blushed; she seemed almost to smile. Of course
this behavior (I loved Mary the more that she could not conceal her
delightful embarrassment!) excited the dragon's curiosity; she turned
round and favored me with a searching gaze. I was equal to the
occasion. I comprehended them both in a long, cool, deliberate, empty
stare. The strain on my self-control was immense, but I supported it.
Mary blushed crimson, and her eyes sank to her plate. Poor girl! She
had sadly overrated her powers of deception. I was not surprised that
Miss Dibbs frowned severely and sniffed audibly.

"At that moment the other girl came in. She walked up, took the table
next to mine, and, to my confusion, bestowed upon me a look of evident
interest, though of the utmost shortness--one of those looks, you know,
that seem to be repented of in an instant, and are generally the most
deliberate. I took no notice at all, assuming an air of entire
unconsciousness. A few minutes later Mary got up and made for the
door, with Miss Dibbs in close attendance. The imprudent child could
not forbear to glance at me; but I, seeing the dragon's watchful eye
upon me, remained absolutely irresponsive. Nay, to throw Miss Dibbs
off the scent, I fixed my eyes on my neighbor with assumed
preoccupation. Flushing painfully, Mary hurried out, and I heard Miss
Dibbs sniff again. I chuckled over her obvious disapproval of my
neighbor and myself. The excellent woman evidently thought us no
better than we ought to be! But I felt that I should go mad if I could
not speak to Mary soon.

"I went out and sat down in the veranda. It was then about half-past
ten. The ugly fellow whom I had noticed the evening before was hanging
about, but presently a waiter came and spoke to him, and he got up with
a grumble and went into the house. Ten minutes afterward my neighbor
of the salle a manger came out. She looked very discontented. She
rang a handbell that stood on the table, and a waiter ran up.

"'Where's the head waiter?' she asked sharply.

"'Pardon, ma'mselle, but he