"My, such a lot of trouble," he said at last, and Doris looked up astonished. "Oh, I beg your pardon--" "No occasion in the world. I was laughing at you, so I must do the apologizing. But I feel justified in laughing at you. This isn't any place to worry. This is a party. Is your sweetheart dancing too often and too tenderly with your lovely friend?" "I haven't any sweetheart," she said, laughing gaily at the notion. "It is my sister I am watching. She is such a nice, naughty little thing." She pointed Rosalie out to him, not without pride, and flushed with pleasure when he commented warmly on her grace and beauty. "And how beautifully she dances." "Yes, she does, the little sinner. And a grand time we'll have in the morning, fixing things up with father." "Doesn't he allow you to dance?" "He allows us to do anything," said Doris with loyal dignity. "But we do not do it. We are preachers." "What, all of you?" "Oh, no, just father, but the rest of us back him up, you know." "Well, since the naughty sister has involved the family in disgrace, why don't you support her, and have a good time yourself?" "I am having a perfectly wonderful time, thank you, but I haven't Rosalie's feet and eyes. I do not know how to dance, and I do not care to learn. Rosalie gets those things by instinct, but I have none. She is the butterfly of the manse, and one is plenty." Then looking into his face gravely, she said, "I am different. Rosalie is always running into excitement and adventure. I never did in my life. I went clear through college, and was never even thrilled. Rosalie has thrills a dozen times a day. Of course, I was busy. We had Miss Carlton, but I did most of the work, and there was the church, and I studied harder than Rosalie does--I had to. She gets her lessons by instinct, too, I guess." "Then very plainly now is your time for play. If excitement does not come to you, go after it. Look for your thrills. If you do, you will find them. If you do not stumble into romance, as your sister does, go and find it for yourself." She laughed brightly at that. "I do not know where to look. And if I ran into it, very likely I should pass it by unrecognized. Rosalie says men are the best thrillers, but they do not thrill me. She says I am too sensible--sense and mystery go in opposite directions and never look back." She was studying him curiously. "I beg your pardon, but I do not recall your name. It is very stupid of me--" "Not at all. You met so many when you first came in. It is quite natural that you should forget a few." Doris thought it was not natural to forget those kind quizzical eyes, and that kind teasing voice, but she did not say so. Instead she waited. No information was forthcoming. She laughed at him, wonderingly. "But I still do not know your name." "No? Then here is a bit of mystery for you. Who am I? Whence do I come? Why am I here? I am a stranger, but you will see me again."