dreams at all." She went away, and shut
her door behind her.

Esther lay awake for a long time watching the firelight on the walls
and ceiling, and thinking of what had happened.

It seemed impossible that she had even really seen and spoken to
Raymond Ashton; impossible that instead of loving him desperately, she
could only shudder at the memory of him.

The tears forced their way to her eyes, and scorched her cheeks. But
for Micky, where might she not have been now?--and he had refused to
even let her thank him. Her heart was filled with a new humility. At
best her words would be so poor--like beggars in the palace of his
generosity.

But she would see him again soon--she comforted herself with the
assurance. In spite of his changed manner and apparent indifference,
she was sure she would see him again. Micky--as June had said of
him--never failed!

It was her last thought as she fell asleep, that she would surely see
him the next day.

But Micky did not come!

Esther rested till lunch time, after which June insisted on a walk.

"The sun's shining, and it's wicked to stay indoors," she declared;
she marched Esther about for half an hour.

Esther had been so sure that Micky would come. She glanced up at the
clock, and then at Micky's photograph--but to-day he seemed to be
looking past her into the room to where June was bustling about, and
she gave a little sigh.

The evening dragged away.

"What are you thinking about?" June asked once abruptly. "You look so
sad, don't look sad, my dear! there's lots of happy days to come
yet--happier days than you've ever had."

Esther was only half listening. It was too late for Micky to come now
was the thought in her mind. Supposing he never came again?

She cried herself to sleep that night. When she woke it was late in
the morning, and June had had her breakfast and gone out.

She came in while Esther was dressing. She looked very pleased and
alert.

"Business, my child!" she said enthusiastically. "Such a duck of an
American! and Micky's introduction! Mr. George P. Rochester!--isn't it
a lovely name? He's going to establish me firmly in little old New
York, as he calls it, and make my fortune. I'm going out to lunch with
him at one o'clock, and you're coming too!--Oh, yes you _are_!" as
Esther shook her head. "I've told him all about you already." Esther
laughed.

"You must have got on very fast," she said. "And anyway I'm not going
to play odd-man-out."