"I couldn't," laughed Patty, "in daylight. But the electrics even things up, somehow, and my complexion takes on a harmonising tint of brick red." "Because you are a brick," put in Channing. "Did you get many Christmas gifts, Patty? Did you get my small votive offering?" "Did I get many gifts! My boudoir looks like a World's Fair! Yes, Chick, I got your present. Let me see, it was the padded calf Emerson, wasn't it?" "It was not! If you got that, it probably came from your Cosmetic friends. I sent you--oh, if you didn't even open it----" "But I did, Chickadee. It was a heavenly jade hatpin, an exquisite bit of carving. I just adore it, and I shall never wear any other. So cheer up, life is still worth living!" Patty was in high spirits. It was partly reaction from the artificial atmosphere of the Studio, and partly her real enjoyment of the festive occasion of Elise's Christmas party. The Farrington parties were always on an elaborate scale, and this was no exception. "I wish Roger and Mona were here," Patty said, "I sort of miss them." "So do I," chimed in Daisy Dow. "But the honeymoon shining on the sands at Palm Beach still holds them under its influence." "They must be happy," observed Kit Cameron. "Think of it! Christmas and a bridal trip and the Sunny South,--all at once." "It is a large order," laughed Patty. "But Mona likes a lot of things at once. That girl has no sense of moderation. When are they coming home, Elise?" "Don't know. No signs of it yet. Come on, people, now we're going to have the tree!" The orchestra played a march, and the crowd trooped into the great hall known as the Casino. There awaited them a resplendent Christmas tree, glittering with frosted decorations and glowing with electric lights. Van Reypen had quietly taken possession of Patty as a partner, and he guided her to a pleasant seat where she could see all the entertainment. For great doings had been arranged to please the guests, and a short program was carried out. Waits sang old English carols, mummers cut up queer antics, servitors brought in the Boar's Head and Wassail Bowl, and finally it was announced that all present would participate in the old-fashioned dance of Sir Roger de Coverley. Patty enjoyed it all. She loved to see this sort of thing when it was well done, and in this instance every detail was faultless. Van Reypen quite shared her enthusiasm, and was vigorously clapping his hands over some jest of a mummer, when Big Bill Farnsworth came up to Patty, made a low bow, his hand on his breast, and whisked her off to the dance before she fairly realised what had happened. "Why--I can't!" she exclaimed, as she found herself standing opposite her smiling partner. "I'm--I'm engaged to Philip!" "I know you are," returned Farnsworth, gravely, "but you can give me one dance." Patty blushed, furiously. "Oh, I didn't mean engaged _that_ way," she said, "I meant engaged for this dance."