ing round stores all the time," said Cornelia to herself, as
she bade farewell to her friends after lunch, and settled herself with a
book in the corner of the lounge, to await Guest's arrival. She was
pleased at the prospect of meeting him again; mischievously amused at
the anticipation of his embarrassment when he found that her chaperons
had fled. It would be a delightful change to chat with him for half an
hour, and when he departed to listen to the "pretty good music," she
herself would get into a hansom and drive to Saint Paul's to listen to
the wonderful boys' voices chanting the evening service. Cathedrals
were not included in the London known to Mrs Silas P Moffatt, but
Cornelia was determined not to leave the metropolis without visiting the
great temple of the East. After four days of pure, undiluted Moffatt,
she felt mentally and spiritually starved. It would be good to leave
the world and sit apart awhile beneath the great dome...

At five minutes past three by the clock, Guest appeared in the doorway
of the hotel, made an inquiry of the porter, and was directed to
Cornelia's sheltered seat. She saw him cast a glance over her neat,
walking costume, as he approached, and naughtily determined to prolong
his uncertainty. On her own side, she honestly admired his appearance;
compared him to his advantage with the other men in the hall, and was
proud to welcome him as her friend. Her little, white face was
sparkling with animation, as she held out her hand to greet him.

"How d'you do, Captain Guest? It's real good of you to come again so
soon. I was sorry to miss you Saturday afternoon."

"So was I." Guest seated himself, and deposited his hat carefully by
his side. "I waited half an hour, and then gave it up, and went to loaf
in the Park. It's the only thing to do before dinner."

"I saw you there, standing on the sidewalk talking to two ladies, an old
one, and a young one, as pretty as--"

"A moss rose!" he suggested quickly, and they laughed together over the
remembrance. "Were you driving? I wish I had seen you! Is--er--Mrs
Moffatt quite well?"

"Puffectly, thank you," said Cornelia, calmly. She noted the quick
glance around, and wondered if he felt it compromising to sit with her
alone, even in the publicity of a hotel lounge. "We drive most
afternoons, and go to the theatre every evening. I'm having a giddy
time--just about as different from Norton as it's possible to imagine!
Have