her has gone to this evening."

"The Sistine Chapel," said Christina. "I don't really care for it.
Those stupid old prophets and sybils say nothing to me; though of
course one must make a fuss about them; and the picture of the Last
Judgment, _I_ think, is absolutely frightful."

But here Dolly's eyes arrested her friend.

"Well, I tell you the truth; I do think so," she said. "I may tell the
truth to you. I do not care one pin for Michael Angelo."

"Mayn't you tell the truth to anybody?"

"Not unless I want to be stared at; and I do not want to be stared at,
in _that_ way. I am glad I did not go with mamma and those people; if
Sandie had come, I do not think he would have altogether liked it.
Though I don't know but it is good to make men jealous. Mamma says it
is."

"Oh no!" said Dolly. "Not anybody you care for."

"What do _you_ know?" said Christina archly. Before she could receive
an answer, then, she had started and sprung up; for the door gently
opened and on the threshold presented himself a gentleman in naval
uniform.

"Sandie!" cried Christina.

"Didn't you expect me?" he said with a frank and bright smile.

Dolly had heard enough about this personage to make her very curious;
and her eyes took keen note of him. She saw a tall, upright figure,
with that free poise of bearing which is a compound of strength and
ease; effortless, quiet, graceful, and dignified. Though in part the
result of a certain symmetry of joints and practised activity in the
use of them, this sort of bearing refers itself also, and yet more
surely, to the character, and makes upon the beholder the impression
again of strength and ease in the mental action. It is not common; it
struck Dolly in the first five steps he made into the room and in the
manner of his greeting his betrothed. Out of delicate consideration, I
suppose, for the company in which they found themselves, he offered
only a look and a hand-clasp; but Christina jumped up and kissed him.
She was not short, yet she had to make a little spring to reach his
lips. And then, quietly putting an arm round her, he gave her her kiss
back. Christina was rosy when she turned to present him, and both were
smiling. Letting her go, he bowed low before Christina's friend; low
and gravely; with such absolute gravity that Dolly almost felt herself
in the way; as if he wished her not there. Then they sat down around
the fire; and the same feeling came over her again with a rush. The