“Do you mean that _he_ was there? Mr. Kendricks? If you are hoaxing me, Basil!” “I am not, my dear; indeed I’m not,” said I, beginning to laugh, and this made her doubt me the more. “Because if you are I shall simply never forgive you. And I’m in earnest this time,” she replied. “Why should I want to hoax you about such a vital thing as that. Couldn’t Kendricks come to Saratoga as well as we? He’s here looking up the ground of a story I should think from what he said.” “No matter what he’s here for; he’s here, and that’s enough. I never knew of anything so perfectly providential. Did you _tell_ him, Basil? Did you dare?” “Tell him what?” “You know; about Miss Gage.” “Well, I came very near it. I dangled the fact before his eyes once, but I caught it away again in time. He never saw it. I thought I’d better let you tell him.” “Is he coming here to see us?” “He asked if he might.” “He’s always nice. I don’t know that I shall ask him to do anything for them, after all; I’m not sure that she’s worth it. I wish some commoner person had happened along. Kendricks is too precious. I shall have to think about it; and don’t you tease me, Basil, will you?” “I don’t know. If I’m not allowed to have any voice in the matter, I’m afraid I shall take it out in teasing. I don’t see why Miss Gage isn’t quite as good as Kendricks. I believe she’s taller, and though he’s pretty good-looking, I prefer her style of beauty. I dare say his family is better, but I fancy she’s richer; and his family isn’t good beyond New York city, and her money will go anywhere. It’s a pretty even thing.” “Good gracious, Basil! you talk as if it were a question of marriage.” “And you _think_ it is.” “Now I see that you’re bent upon teasing, and we won’t talk any more, please. What time did he say he would call?” “If I mayn’t talk, I can’t tell.” “You may talk that much.” “Well, then, he didn’t say.”