"A hat," she echoed. "Oh, Philip, I—I—shall be too happy." "All right, then," lifting her down as he spoke; "you can try what it feels like to be too happy. I can't say I know the sensation myself." As the oddly-matched couple now entered the shop hand in hand, the smart, soldierly young man and the shabby little girl, an obsequious attendant emerged from some dark lair. At this time of year business was slack, and the atmosphere of the ill-ventilated premises was reeking with oil, turmeric, and newly-roasted coffee. "I want to look at some trimmed hats for this young lady," explained her cavalier. "Oh, Phil," she whispered, squeezing his hand tightly in her tiny grasp, "it's the very first time I've been called a young lady." "And won't be the last, we will hope," he answered. "Have some iced lemonade, sir?" said a stout man in a gold skull-cap and thin white muslin draperies. "No, thank you—but you, Angel—will you have some?" asked her cousin. "I should love it," and she put her lips greedily to a brimming tumbler of her favourite beverage. Undoubtedly Angel was tasting every description of pleasure to-day. "And now for the hats; here they come!" announced her companion, as a languid European assistant appeared with two in either hand. "Oh, how lovely!" cried Angel, setting down the glass and clasping her hands in rapturous admiration. These hats, be it known, were the usual stock in trade of a native shop up country, models that no sane woman in England would purchase or be seen in; massive satin or velvet structures, with lumps of faded flowers and tarnished gilt buckles, one more preposterous than another, all equally dusty, tumbled, and expensive, and all intended for full-grown wearers—if such could be beguiled into buying them. Gascoigne took a seat and proceeded to watch his protégée's proceedings with the keenest amusement, and exhibited no desire to cut short her few blissful moments. Angel was absolutely happy, not had been, or was to be, but actually happy in the present moment—and the sight of such a condition is extremely rare.