ys;" and the time came when she was full of surprises for
him. Mary continued: "But let us not talk about the other day. Of what
use are 'other days,' anyway? Before the evening is over, Master
Brandon, we want you to give us another sermon," and she laughed,
setting off three other laughs as hearty and sincere as if she had
uttered the rarest witticism on earth.

The princess had told Jane and Jane had told me of the "Sermon in the
Park," as Mary called it.

"Jane needs it as much as I," said the princess.

"I can't believe that," responded Brandon, looking at Jane with a
softening glance quite too admiring and commendatory to suit me; for I
was a jealous little devil.

The eyebrows went up again.

"Oh! you think she doesn't? Well, in truth, Master Brandon, there is
one failing that can not be laid at your door; you are no flatterer."
For answer Brandon laughed, and that gave us the cue, and away we went
in a rippling chorus, all about nothing. Some persons may call our
laughter foolish, but there are others who consider it the height of
all wisdom. St. George! I'd give my Garter for just one other laugh
like that; for just one other hour of youth's dancing blood and
glowing soul-warmth; of sweet, unconscious, happy heart-beat and
paradise-creating joy in everything.

After a few minutes of gay conversation, in which we all joined, Mary
asked: "What shall we do? Will one of you suggest something?"

Jane sat there looking so demure you would have thought mischief could
not live within a league of her, but those very demure girls are
nearly always dangerous. She said, oh! so innocently:

"Would you like to dance? If so, I will play." And she reached for her
lute, which was by her side.

"Yes, that will be delightful. Master Brandon, will you dance with
me?" asked the princess, with a saucy little laugh, her invitation
meaning so much more to three of us than to Brandon. Jane and I joined
in the laugh, and when Mary clapped her hands that set Brandon off,
too, for he thought it the quaintest, prettiest little gesture in the
world, and was all unconscious that our laugh was at his expense.

Brandon did not answer Mary's invitation--the fit of laughter had
probably put it out of his mind--so she, evidently anxious to win or
lose her wager at once, again asked him if he danced.

"Oh, pardon me. Of course. Thank you." And he was on his feet beside
her chair in an instant ready for the dance. This time the girl's