t I have my Bill, and he's all the world to me. Now, I'm more than
glad you've found a your fate at last,--but--Azalea!"

"Stop it, Patty! I find I've got to forbid these repeated expressions of
amazement. You _must_ get used to the idea, and you may as well begin at
once!"

"You're right, and I will! First of all, honest and hearty
congratulations and may you both be very, _very_ happy,--as happy as we
are,--I can't ask more!"

"Thank you, Patty, and will you say a good word for me to Azalea?"

"Why! haven't you asked her yet?"

"Only partly,--that is, she has only partly answered me."

"What did she say?"

"I don't quite know. She was,--well, Patty, she ran away from me."

"Oh, that's all right, then, that's a time-honoured device to postpone
the psychological moment! Well, may I make the announcement at dinner?"

"No; I think not. For, though I couldn't help hoping, from the look in
her eyes, that she cares for me,--yet she said--"

"What did she say?"

"Nothing coherent or understandable,--but--well, she didn't--she didn't
say 'yes'."

"Oh, that's nothing,--she will. But I won't make the announcement till
she tells me to. There's the dinner gong,--come on."

It wasn't until the others were seated at the table that Azalea come
into the dining-room. She looked quite unlike her usual self, and was
very quiet. Her face showed a pathetic, wistful expression, but her eyes
were cast down, and now and then the corners of her scarlet mouth
trembled.

Patty had arranged that she should sit next Van Reypen, and as Azalea
took the place, she found Ray Gale on her other hand.

"'Smatter, Zaly?" he said, merrily, not thinking anything was really
troubling her.

"Shell shock," said Van Reypen, to save Azalea the necessity of
replying. "She's had a hard day of it, and now she's not to be bothered
to talk, if she doesn't want to."

Azalea gave him a grateful look, and under the influence of his gentle
kindliness, and mild raillery, she partly recovered her poise, and
became almost like her own gay self again.

Much later in the evening, Van Reypen drew her away from the rest and
led her to a secluded corner of the great piazza, where he had her alone.

"Now, my princess,--my beloved,--you are to tell me the answer to my
plea. Tell me, Azalea,--may I take you to myself? Will you be my very
own?"

"I can't say yes, Phil," she replied, softly, the tears gathering in her
brown eyes. "I--oh, I thought I could te