straw with an uncurled yellow
plume. It was a beautiful dress, though mamma considered it just a
thought too low, even with a handkerchief put in.

And Cally looked back at her lover and thought: Who so honored and
honorable as he? He'll only be sorry that I've waited so long....

"Only," she said, aloud, "they do keep the room rather hot for the
provinces, where some air is preferred. More good things to eat, Hugo?
It's a collation...."

"A poor one, I'm afraid. You've touched nothing."

He dispatched an army of men to adjust electric fans, turn patent
ventilators, and even to do so crude a thing as open a window.

"It is all most delicious, Hugo," reassured Mrs. Heth. "I hadn't noticed
that the room was warm, either."

"My cheeks are burning. Touch my hand, Hugo. You see it's on fire."

All three looked up as a boy in buttons stood at Carlisle's elbow, and
said:

"Got your party on the wire, mum."

"Party on the wire? What's this?" said mamma.

Carlisle laid her napkin on the table. Surprise confronted her, written
large on the faces of her mother and her lover; but it did not
arrest her.

"I'm wanted at the telephone. Do you mind, Hugo? I won't he gone a
minute."

"_But_--you mustn't go _now_, my dear!" said Mrs. Heth, astonished. "Let
the boy take the number. Why--who on earth could it be, calling you
_here?_--"

"I'd rather go now, mamma, if Hugo'll forgive me--"

"It's from Flora!" said Mrs. Heth, positively. "No one else knew. A
telegram's come, saying your father is sick--"

Carlisle laughed and rose dazzingly, burning without but colder than
Alpine snow within.

"Not in the least, mamma dear! You see I put in this call myself. I'll
explain all about it in a minute...."

Explain! Why she would walk back to this table from the telephone,
laughing, and saying: "Now, praise me, Hugo and mamma, for I've just
been doing a deed of mercy! Do you remember that day at the Beach?..."
Was it the fear of this that she had let plague her all these days?...

"To be answered _here_--at dinner--in this public place? Why, my dear
Cally, I really...."

But Hugo, the understanding, though personally opposed to interruptions
during dinner, knew the folly of arguing with the whims of the
unreasoners. He had risen with Carlisle, and now said: "I'll show
you the way."

Cally gave him a look of exquisite gratitude, but answered: "_Please_
don't trouble, Hugo! The boy will--"

"No trouble. Let's be off befo