do. I
_did_ bless you when you walked in this afternoon! If there is one
thing that makes me wild, it is to have a better-looking girl than
myself staying in a house. I have had it all my own way here so far,
for Avice is too lazy to count, but now I shall have to play second
fiddle. Men are so silly about pretty faces. Do you think I am pretty?
Honestly? Yes, most people do; but, to tell you a dead secret, it is
all a mistake. I am really barely good-looking, but I give an
impression of prettiness by my vivacity and strict attention to
business."

Hope laughed, and the two girls chattered gaily together over the
belated toilet. When it was finished Truda Bennett slid her hand
through Hope's arm in friendly confidence.

"You are a dear," she said. "I like you. When you came in I thought
you were bound to be slow and proper. I always mistrust fair girls with
blue eyes. Nine times out of ten they are deadly uninteresting; but I
can see you are an exception. I will try not to be jealous of you, if
you will promise not to flirt with Ralph Merrilies. I'm especially
interested in him; so play fair, won't you? You may have all the
others."

"How wholesale of you! Are you sure you mean it? From what I have
seen, I should imagine you would hardly be satisfied with one."

In dealing with such a very outspoken young lady, it seemed best to
reply in the same strain, but Hope marvelled inwardly at the
eccentricities of human nature. Imagine--just imagine--being
"interested" in somebody, and confiding the fact to a stranger the very
first time one spoke to her! It would be difficult enough to speak of
it even to Theo, her lifelong friend and companion; but to a stranger--
it was incredible! She studied the girl's dark face with curious eyes
as they walked downstairs, while the men gathered round the fireplace
below, watched them as they approached, and admired the pretty picture.
They made a charming contrast--the sparkling brunette in her amber
draperies, and the tall figure in the black dress, with the sweet
pink-and-white face.

Directly after dinner Mrs Loftus sent Hope to the piano, and the girl
sat down unaffectedly, and played several pieces in succession, to the
complete satisfaction of the company, who apparently found it much more
agreeable to discourse to music than without it. Mr Merrilies, indeed,
did stroll across the room, to stand by her side and say "Thank you" at
the conclusion, as if he