to the normal subtleties of
this state the special craft of a matchmaker.

Briscoe desired to avoid being drawn into any confession of his knowledge
of Bayne's attitude of mind, and, aware of his own lack of diplomacy,
sheered off precipitately from the subject. He turned, beaming anew, to
the little boy who was looking on, cherubically roseate, at the sleek
mare and the smart groom at her bit.

"Then, Archibald Royston, Esquire, may I hope that _you_ will favor
me?"

Archibald Royston, Esquire, suddenly apprehending in the midst of his
absorption the nature of the invitation, gave two elastic bounces
straight up and down expressive of supreme ecstasy; then, his arms
outstretched, he began to run wildly up and down the veranda, looking in
at the doors and windows as he passed, seeking his mother and her
permission.

"Oh!" cried Lillian, springing to her feet as she watched the dumb-show
at the distance. "They want Archie to go to drive. Oh, how can I make
them hear me? I am sure Ned will not take him without permission."

She waved her hand, but the distance was obviously too great for the
signal to be understood, and Briscoe's attitude was doubtful and
perplexed. There was no time to be lost, for it was growing late, and a
postponement, as far as Archie was concerned, seemed inevitable.

"Oh, the poor little fellow will be so disappointed! The mare will be off
before I can make them understand."

"Wait," said Bayne authoritatively. He sprang upon the bench, and in this
commanding position placed both hands megaphone-like to his lips, and as
Archie came running along the veranda again, having descried his mother
in the distance, and with outstretched arms bleating forth his eager,
unheard appeal, Bayne shouted, his voice clear as a trumpet, "Yes, you
_may go_!"

Not until he was once more on the floor of the observatory did he realize
the form of the permission, and what relish its assumption of authority
must give the matchmaking Mrs. Briscoe. Apparently, it did not impress
Lillian as they stood together and she smilingly watched the group at the
bungalow, when Archie was swung to a seat in the dog-cart beside his
host. It seemed for a moment that they were off, but Mrs. Briscoe, with
womanly precaution, bethought herself to throw a wrap into the vehicle.
Throughout the day the close curtaining mists had resisted all stir of
air, and the temperature had been almost sultry. Since the lifting of the
vapors, th