"It isn't that,--she has noble traits,--some,--but--oh, Phil,--you and Azalea! King Cophetua and the Beggar Maid!" "Patty, stop! I won't let you talk like that! I admit I'm blind to her faults,--if she has any,--for I'm desperately in love,--but I do look to you and Bill for sympathy and approval. And I don't want any of that King Cophetua talk, either! Just because I happen to be born under a family tree, and happen to have as much money as I want,--that's no reason for implying that those are my chief attractions. I can give Azalea more worth-while things than that! I can give her the love and adoration that is every woman's desire and right,--I can give her loving care and help,--I can--" "Oh, Phil, how splendid you are! You make me 'most wish--" But Patty's honest blue eyes wouldn't let her say the words. "No, I don't wish anything of the sort! You are a splendid man, and I do appreciate you, but I have my Bill, and he's all the world to me. Now, I'm more than glad you've found a your fate at last,--but--Azalea!" "Stop it, Patty! I find I've got to forbid these repeated expressions of amazement. You _must_ get used to the idea, and you may as well begin at once!" "You're right, and I will! First of all, honest and hearty congratulations and may you both be very, _very_ happy,--as happy as we are,--I can't ask more!" "Thank you, Patty, and will you say a good word for me to Azalea?" "Why! haven't you asked her yet?" "Only partly,--that is, she has only partly answered me." "What did she say?" "I don't quite know. She was,--well, Patty, she ran away from me." "Oh, that's all right, then, that's a time-honoured device to postpone the psychological moment! Well, may I make the announcement at dinner?" "No; I think not. For, though I couldn't help hoping, from the look in her eyes, that she cares for me,--yet she said--" "What did she say?" "Nothing coherent or understandable,--but--well, she didn't--she didn't say 'yes'." "Oh, that's nothing,--she will. But I won't make the announcement till she tells me to. There's the dinner gong,--come on." It wasn't until the others were seated at the table that Azalea come into the dining-room. She looked quite unlike her usual self, and was very quiet. Her face showed a pathetic, wistful expression, but her eyes were cast down, and now and then the corners of her scarlet mouth trembled. Patty had arranged that she should sit next Van Reypen, and as Azalea took the place, she found Ray Gale on her other hand. "'Smatter, Zaly?" he said, merrily, not thinking anything was really troubling her. "Shell shock," said Van Reypen, to save Azalea the necessity of replying. "She's had a hard day of it, and now she's not to be bothered to talk, if she doesn't want to." Azalea gave him a grateful look, and under the influence of his gentle kindliness, and mild raillery, she partly recovered her poise, and became almost like her own gay self again.