she observed. "Mademoiselle has
engaged a boatman?"

"A boatman? Certainly not!" declared Myrna Bliss. "Not without seeing
the boat--and I have seen no boat!"

"But mademoiselle engages a cottage without seeing the cottage,"
murmured Nanette slyly.

"That will do, Nanette!" said Myrna severely. "There was but one
cottage; there are dozens of boats. It is quite a different matter.
What did the man say?"

"That he was obliged to go out for the four o'clock fishing this
morning," said Nanette, pouting a little at the rebuke; "but that he
would go to mademoiselle at the cottage early in the forenoon."

A row of little white teeth crunched into a piece of crisp toast.

"Very well, Nanette." Myrna's brows pursed up thoughtfully. "You may
get out that new marquisette from Fallard's; and, I think"--she glanced
out of the window--"my sunbonnet. And, Nanette"--suddenly
impatient--"hurry, please--since father is waiting."

Myrna's impatience bore fruit. In ten minutes she was ready, and,
running down the stairs, went out to the street, where her father and
the cure, deep in conversation--on art undoubtedly, since her father
was doing most of the talking!--were pacing slowly up and down, as they
waited for her.

Her sunbonnet was swinging in her hand, the big grey eyes were shining,
the glow of superb health was in her cheeks.

"Good morning, Father Anton!" she called out gaily. "What a shame to
have kept you waiting!"

The old priest turned toward her with unaffected pleasure, as he held
out his hand.

"Good morning to you, mademoiselle"--he was smiling with eyes as well
as lips. "What a radiant little girl! It makes one full of life and
young again; you are, let me see, you are--a tonic!"

She laughed as she turned to her father.

"'Morning, Dad! Sleep well?"

Henry Bliss removed his cigar to survey his daughter with whimsical
reproach; then he patted her cheek affectionately.

"Fierce, wasn't it?" he chuckled. "Those beds are the worst ever! I
was telling the cure here about them."

"It is too bad," said Father Anton solicitously. "It is regrettable.
I am so very sorry. But"--earnestly--"you must not think too hardly of
the Fregeaus. Since no guests sleep here, I am sure they can have no
idea that--"

"No; of course not!" agreed Henry Bliss heartily, and laughed. "The
hard feelings are all in the beds--and we'll let them stay there. Now,
then, Myrna, are you ready to inspect this new do