tered the
house. She spoke with a directness of speech that warned Champney the
question was a cloak to some other thought on her part.

"That she does you credit, Aunt Meda. I don't know that I can pay you or
her a greater compliment."

"Very well said. You've learned all that over there--and a good deal
more besides. There have been no folderols in her education. I've made
her practical. Come, draw up your chair nearer and tell me something of
the Van Ostends and that little Alice who was the means of Aileen's
coming to me. I hear she is growing to be a beauty."

"Beauty--well, I shouldn't say she was that, not yet; but 'little.' She
is fully five feet six inches with the prospect of an additional inch."

"I didn't realize it. When are they coming home?"

"Early in the autumn. Alice says she is going to come out next winter,
not leak out as the other girls in her set have done; and what Alice
wants she generally manages to have."

"Let me see--she must be sixteen; why that's too young!"

"Seventeen next month. She's very good fun though."

"Like her?" She looked towards the house where Aileen was visible with a
tea-tray.

"Well, no; at least, not along her lines I should say. She seems to have
Tave pretty well under her thumb."

Mrs. Champney smiled. "Octavius thought he couldn't get used to it at
first, but he's reconciled now; he had to be.--Call her Aileen,
Champney; you mustn't let her get the upper hand of you by making her
think she's a woman grown," she added in a low tone, for the girl was
approaching them, slowly on account of the loaded tray she was carrying.

Champney left his seat and taking the tea-things from her placed them on
the table. Aileen busied herself with setting all in order and twirling
the tea-ball in each cup of boiling water, as if she had been used to
this ultra method of making tea all her life.

"By the way, Aileen--"

He checked himself, for such a look of amazement was in the quickly
lifted gray eyes, such a surprised arch was visible in the dark brows,
that he realized his mistake in hearing to his aunt's request. He felt
he must make himself whole, and if possible without further delay.

"Oh, I see that it must still be Miss Aileen
Armagh-and-don't-you-forget-it!" he exclaimed, laughing to cover his
confusion.

She laughed in turn; she could not help it at the memories this title
called to mind. "Well, it's best to be particular with strangers, isn't
it?" Down wen