hat."

"Miss Mae can choose the terms on which we meet. I shall be content
whatever her decision. What are your plans for the day?"

Lounging Eric straightened himself at once. "I was a perfect fool last
night," he confessed, "and I must rely on you, old fellow, to help me
out. I made engagements for two weeks ahead with Miss Hopkins and Miss
Rae. At any rate, I'm booked for the play to-night. Now, I can't take
two girls very well. That is, I can, but I thought you might like a
show. You may have your choice of the two. Miss Rae, by the way, says
she's wild to know you; thought you were the most provoking man she ever
saw; and that you were--nonsensical idea--engaged to Mae. All because
you wouldn't look at her the other day when she passed you two, But you
can go with Miss Hopkins, if you prefer."

"Are they pretty?" asked Norman, apparently warming to the task, "and
bright?"

"I should say they were. Miss Hopkins has gorgeous great eyes,--but Miss
Rae is more your style. Still, you may have your choice."

"Silly boy; you're afraid to death that I shall choose Miss Hopkins.
Well, if they are not over stupid and flirtatious--"

"Stupid! Oh, no,"--Eric scouted that idea--"and flirtatious, perhaps.
Miss Hopkins rolls her eyes a good deal, but then she has a frankness, a
winning way."

"Well," laughed Norman, "you're such a transparent, susceptible
infant-in-arms that I'll go with you."

"As shepherd," suggested Eric, "as long as Mae won't have you. But come,
we must go down and call on these people. It won't do at all for you to
appear suddenly this evening, and say, 'I'll relieve my friend here of
one of you.'"

"Oh, what a bore. Is that necessary? Won't a card or a box of Stillman's
bon-bons do them? Well, if it must be, come along, then."

CHAPTER V.

It was evening, and the brilliantly lighted theatre was crowded to
overflowing. Of course there were English who scowled at the Americans,
and Americans who smiled on every one and ate candy while Othello
writhed in jealous rage, and a scattering of Germans with spectacles and
a row of double-barrelled field glasses glued over them, and Frenchmen
with impudent eyes and elegant gloves, and a general filling in of
Italians, with the glitter here and there of nobility, and still oftener
of bright uniforms. Finally there was a modicum of true gentry, and
these not of any particular nation or class. It is pleasant to name our
party immediately after refer