"Is it the pure joy of living, Mr. Grimston?" Dorothy inquired. For this was said to have been Julian's answer when an acquaintance, upon passing him in the street one day and overhearing him ahaing, had asked what it meant. At this moment Waddy came from the anteroom. "And mamma's tea?" Dorothy asked. "Raffaello was just going down; I gave it to him." "Oh, thanks. I'm thinking how little mamma will like that." And Dorothy played thoughtfully a soundless tune with her right hand upon the arm of the easy-chair. Waddy pursed up his lips in an inaudible whistle. Then with swift step he left the room. Five minutes later he was back again. "It's all right. I caught up with him," he said, briefly. "Now mark that," began Charrington. "This impostor gave those things to Mrs. North, I'll warrant, with rolling eyes that seemed to say that even to have touched them had been a huge joy." Waddy did not defend himself. "I wouldn't be a cherub, as you are, even if I could," went on Charrington. "You belong to Christmas-cards--your chin on your clasped hands. What is a cherub out of business--a cherub going about clothed, and with an umbrella? It's ghastly." Mrs. Tracy to Miss Jane Wood: "How do you do, Miss Wood?" To Miss Maria: "_How_ do you do?" Behind the Misses Wood came Rose Hatherbury and three of the Misses Sebright, who were tired of sitting on the wall. Felicia, very busy, sent tea to them all, Mackenzie carrying the cups. Raffaello presented himself at the table to assist. Felicia did not know much Italian, but she did know her own mind, and she wished for no second assistant; she therefore said to Raffaello, in an undertone, but with decision, "Andate via!" Raffaello, astounded by this unexpected "Clear out!" gazed at her for a moment with wild eyes, and then escaped from the room. The tea was not good--so the Misses Wood thought as they tried to sip it; Nora Sebright, who was now walking with quick steps through the Via Romana on her way home, would have been distressed to see how bad it was. "I wonder if there is any one in the garden now?" said Dorothy. "There are fifty-seven persons," answered Rose, who had seated herself on a sofa near. "I know, because I counted them." "Then I must go down," said Dorothy, rising. She nodded to Rose and to the others and left the room, Waddy following as usual. Two minutes later, Charrington, Julian Grimston, and Stephen Lefevre had also disappeared. Miss Jane Wood (having given up the tea) now began, graciously, "Did you get your ride this morning, Mr. Charrington?" "Aunt Jane, Mr. Charrington is not here now," said Rose, in her distinct tones. "Oh," said Miss Jane, bewildered, and fumbling quickly for her eye-glasses, which she had removed when she took her teacup. "He was here a moment ago; I saw him." "What wonderful elocutionary powers Miss Hatherbury has!" said Felicia, in an aside, to Mackenzie. "I really think she could be heard in the largest hall."