ou Caldwell as much as he
could be in love with any one but himself; but if you knew him as well
as I do you would know he is not in love with any one but Ferdy."

Mrs. Yorke knew when to yield, and how to do it. Her face grew
melancholy and her voice pathetic as she protested that all she wished
was her daughter's happiness.

"Then please don't mention that to me again," said the girl.

The next second her daughter was leaning over her, soothing her and
assuring her of her devotion.

"I want to invite him to dinner, mamma."

Mrs. Yorke actually gasped.

"Nonsense! Why, he would be utterly out of place. This is not Ridgely. I
do not suppose he ever had on a dress-coat in his life!" Which was true,
though Keith would not have cared a button about it.

"Well, we can invite him to lunch," said Alice, with a sigh.

But Mrs. Yorke was obdurate. She could not undertake to invite an
unknown young man to her table. Thus, the want of a dress-suit limited
Mrs. Yorke's hospitality and served a secondary and more important
purpose for her.

"I wish papa were here; he would agree with me," sighed the girl.

When the controversy was settled Miss Alice slipped off to gild the
lily. The care she took in the selection of a toilet, and the tender
pats and delicate touches she gave as she turned before her
cheval-glass, might have belied her declaration to her mother, a little
while before, that she was indifferent to Mr. Keith, and might even have
given some comfort to the anxious young man in the drawing-room below,
who, in default of books, was examining the pictures with such interest.
He had never seen such a sumptuous house.

Meantime, Mrs. Yorke executed a manoeuvre. As soon as Alice disappeared,
she descended to the drawing-room. But she slipped on an extra diamond
ring or two. Thus she had a full quarter of an hour's start of
her daughter.

The greeting between her and the young man was more cordial than might
have been expected. Mrs. Yorke was surprised to find how Keith had
developed. He had broadened, and though his face was thin, it had
undeniable distinction. His manner was so dignified that Mrs. Yorke was
almost embarrassed.

"Why, how you have changed!" she exclaimed. What she said to herself
was: "What a bother for this boy to come here now, just when Alice is
getting her mind settled! But I will get rid of him."

She began to question him as to his plans.

What Keith had said to himself when the step o