ing Delilah.

"Because it is, to say the least, disturbing."

He occupied himself with his samples, shaking his head over them.

"None of these will do for the Secretary's dinner. You must have lace
with many flounces caught up in the new fashion. And I shall want your
hair different. Take it down."

She was used to him now, and presently it fell about her in all its
shining sable beauty; and as he separated the strands, it was like a
thing alive under his hands.

He crowned her head with the braids in a sort of old-fashioned coronet.
And so arranged, the old fashion became a new fashion, and Delilah was
like a queen.

"You see--with the lace and your pearl ornaments. There is nothing
startling; but no one will be like you."

And there was no one like her. And because of the dress, which Colin
had planned, and because of the way which he had taught her to do her
hair, Delilah annexed to her train of admirers on the night of the
Secretary's dinner a distinguished titled gentleman, who was looking
for a wife to grace his ancestral halls--and who was impressed mightily
by the fact that Delilah looked the part to perfection.

He proposed to her in three weeks, and was so sure of his ability to
get what he wanted that he was stunned by her answer:

"Perhaps I'll make up my mind to it. I'll give you your answer when I
come over in the spring."

"But I want my answer now."

"I'm sorry. But I can't."

When she told Colin of her abrupt dismissal of the discomfited
gentleman, she asked, almost plaintively, "Why couldn't I say 'yes' at
once? It is the thing I've always wanted."

"Have you really wanted it?"

"Of course."

"Not of course. You want other things more."

"What for example?"

"I think you know."

She did know, and she drew a quick breath. Then laughed.

"You're trying to teach me to understand my--emotions, Colin, as you
have taught me to understand my clothes."

"You're an apt pupil."

Tea came in, just then, and she poured for him, telling his fortune
afterward in his teacup.

"Are you superstitious?" she asked him, having worked out a future of
conventional happiness and success.

"Not enough to believe what you have told me." He was flickering his
pale lashes and smiling. "Life shall bring me what I want because I
shall make it come."

"Oh, you think that?"

"Yes. All things are possible to those of us who believe they are
possible."

"Perhaps to a man. But--to a w