“O, it is interesting enough to me as a fact. It will be a comfort in some ways. But what is there to say of it? I am tired of not being out. Aunt Madeleine is tired of my not being out. So is papa.” “Well,” I said, “I can see that it would be something to get off your mind.” “O, it will be an immense relief, I can assure you. Not that I think there is anything in it. But it is something that one has to endure. I suspect that you regard it as something of a joke.” “On the contrary, I regard it as an event of almost religious significance. If you would permit me to be sentimental I could say some rather pretty things about Coming Out as an institution. Débutanting is one of those incidents of civilized life which we all permit ourselves to contemplate with real enjoyment. I’m sure that your aunt will enjoy it.” “But?—” “I didn’t say ‘but’.” “You looked it. There was a lurking ‘but’ in your tone, like the diminished seventh. But what?” “I refuse to have a ‘but’ if I am to be challenged for it. A ‘but’ is sometimes a fragile thing.” “Yes, and sometimes it is a buttress.” “Not one that may not be shattered by a woman—even a very young woman.” “You are intolerable.” “And you are inquisitive—I mean acquisitive. And you know too much already.” “Did that have anything to do with the ‘but?’” “What?” “That I know too much already?” Perhaps I should have had to confess had not the lady whom I did take in to dinner demanded my attention at the moment. Presently the Débutante was saying: “Did you go to the Charity Ball?” “Now you are having fun with me. Do I look like a charity baller?” [Illustration] “Don’t sneer at the poor old Charity. It’s antique and has a grand march, but it’s a dear old affair.” “I am not sneering. I never go to formidable dances. Now why did you ask me? Did you go?” “No. I did last year. Aunt Madeleine has gone regularly for ten or fifteen years—and worn the same shade of velvet every time. This year I should have gone with her again, but Aunt Madeleine said it was too near my coming out.” “I understand. That seems reasonable, too. Unless you were kept in a little I don’t see how you _could_ come out.” “I shouldn’t be here if I hadn’t promised Mrs. Amering in Paris that I would come. Aunt Madeleine was there and abetted me because she wanted to be nice to Mrs. Amering.” “I fancy that your aunt is very good to you.” [Illustration]