"That," observed Silvette, "is the nicest thing he’s said yet, Diane." She walked up to him and stood serenely inspecting him. "_I_ vote for you. Diane, let’s admit him. We’re a poverty-stricken family, and we ought to combine. Besides, I like him to feel the way he does about us—not that it’s necessary, of course—but it’s—pleasant." "I haven’t any cash," said Edgerton, "but I’ve this apartment, which nobody can take away even if I starve; and I’ve some very fine clothes.... Won’t you vote for me, Diana?" he added so naturally that neither seemed to notice his use of her first name. Silvette waited a moment, watching her sister; then she said briskly: "Let’s dress. We’ll inspect your beautiful British clothing, cousin, and you shall see our prettiest afternoon gowns. Then we can tell better how such a combination would look. Shall we?" Edgerton said to Diana: "Don’t you _want_ me?" She replied slowly: "I—don’t—know," looked up at him, straight at him, thoughtfully. "People may come at any time after two o’clock," said Silvette. "If they find you in flowered silk and a butterfly sash and me in a pigtail, they will certainly expect dances from us and probably Punch and Judy from our cousin." She laughed, and extended her hand to Edgerton. "I like you, cousin; Diane does, too. When you’re dressed in your best, come back to the studio and we’ll arrive at some kind of a conclusion." Diana nodded to him as she passed with her sister. The questioning gravity of her expression reminded him of a child who has not yet made up its mind to like you. She wore the bluest eyes he had ever seen, and the most enchanting mouth—the unspoiled mouth of childhood. When they entered their room he went out by the hallway to his. Standing there, fumbling with tie and collar, his absent gaze followed the checkered sun spots moving on the wall as the curtain moved; and, gradually, there in the half light, the blue eyes seemed to take winsome shape and hue, and he said aloud to himself: "Anyway, somebody ought to look after her.... She can’t go roaming about like this." *CHAPTER IV* *IN LOCO PARENTIS* Shaved, bathed, and his person adorned with his most fashionable lounging suit for a summer afternoon, Edgerton sauntered out of his room and met the maid in the hallway. She had returned in time to answer the door; evidently also she had already been enlightened as to his identity, so he passed her with a nod and a smile, and entered the studio just as the door bell rang. Neither Silvette nor Diana had yet appeared, nor had he been instructed what to say to those who might call in answer to the advertisement. He looked up doubtfully as the maid announced a Mr. Rivett and a Colonel Curmew, and he stepped forward as these two gentlemen were ushered in. "How d’you do?" he said pleasantly. "My cousins will be in directly. I am James Edgerton 3d."