he very spot we found that quail's nest, you remember. You see I've
begun to rebuild your dream-life to-night, Jim."

"It's marvellous!" he answered slowly. "And there in the distance loom
the three ranges of our old mountains until their dim blue peaks are
lost in the clouds. These tables seem spread for a picnic in the woods
on the hills."

"Are you pleased with my fantasy?" she asked with quiet emotion.

"Pleased is not the word for it," he replied quickly. "I'm overwhelmed.
I never thought you so sentimental."

"Perhaps I'm not, perhaps I've only done this to please a friend. Do
you begin to feel at home in this little spot I've brought back by
magic to-night from our youth?"

"I'm afraid I'll wake and find I'm dreaming."

Stuart gazed on the magnificently set table with increasing
astonishment. Winding in and out among the solid silver candelabra a
tiny stream of crystal water flowed among miniature trees and flowers
on its banks. The flowers were all blooming orchids of rarest colouring
and weirdly fantastic shapes.

"Those hideous little flowers cost a small fortune," Nan exclaimed,
"I'm ashamed to tell you how much--I don't like them myself, I'm frank
to say so to you. But they are the rage. I prefer those gorgeous bowers
of American beauty roses, the canopies to shade my guests from the rays
of my artificial sun shining through the trees. You see how skilfully
the artist has lighted the place. It looks exactly like a sunset in a
pine forest."

Stuart noted that the service was all made for this occasion, silver,
cut glass, and china. Each piece had stamped or etched in it the coat
of arms of his native state, "Peace and Plenty."

"And you've done all this in six weeks? It's incredible."

"Money can do anything, Jim," she cried under her breath. "It's the
fairy queen of our childhood and the God of our ancient faith come down
to earth. You really like my banquet hall?"

"More than I can tell you."

Nan looked at him keenly.

"The world will say to-morrow morning that I have given this lavish
entertainment for vulgar display. In a sense it's true. I am trying to
eclipse in splendour anything New York has seen. But I count the
fortune it cost well spent to have seen the smile on your face when you
looked at that painting of our old hills. I would have given five times
as much at any moment the past ten years to have known that you didn't
hate me."

"You know it now."

"Yes," she answered tender