ng?" she said, without, however, turning toward
the man at her side.

"It is indeed. But why are you such an enigma? Are all Americans so
puzzling?"

"And isn't the rose garden wonderful?" went on Patty, still looking off
in the distance.

"Wonderful, of course. Please look at me. I believe, after all, you're
Miss Fairfield's younger sister! Ah, I have guessed you at last!"

Patty still looked straight ahead, but an irrepressible smile dimpled the
corners of her mouth.

"Do you think it will rain?" she said.

"By Jove, I won't stand this!" cried the Earl, impetuously. "I know you
are yourself--the Miss Fairfield I talked with last night--but why you're
masquerading as a schoolgirl, I don't know!"

At this Patty could restrain her mirth no longer, and her pretty laughter
seemed to appease the Earl's irritation.

"Am I not fit to be looked at, or spoken to?" he said, more gently; "and
if not, you must at least tell me why."

"I can't tell you why," said Patty, stifling her laughter, but still
gazing at the far-away hills.

"Why can't you? Have you promised not to?" The Earl meant this as a jest,
little thinking it was the truth, but Patty, now nearly choking with
merriment, said demurely, "Yes, sir."

"Nonsense! I'm not going to eat you! Look at me, child."

"I can't," repeated Patty, in a small voice, and holding her wilful,
golden head very straight, as she stared firmly ahead.

"Whom did you promise?"

"You have no right to ask."--"That," said Patty to herself, "is an
ordinary _incivility_, but I can't help it!"

"I have a right to ask! And I don't care whether I have or not. You're a
mischief, and I won't stand any more of your chaff. Who made you promise
not to speak to me, or look at me?"

The Earl, quietly, but with a decided air, moved around until he faced
Patty, and the laughing blue eyes were so full of fun that he laughed
too.

"You ridiculous baby!" he cried; "what are you, anyway? One night, a
charming young woman, the next day, a naughty child."

"I'm _not_ naughty! Nobody made me promise. I did it of my own free
will."

"But whom did you promise?"

"Lady Hamilton," said Patty, remembering all at once that the matter was
to be referred to her.

"Oho! Well, now, see here. You just break that promise, as quick as you
can, and I'll make it square with Lady Hamilton."

"Will you?" said Patty, drawing a long sigh of relief. "And will you blot
out last evening, and pretend it never w