He left his sentence unfinished, and caught wildly at a glass of water. The curry had suddenly asserted itself; and the general impression of the unsophisticated Burleigh was that he had taken a mouthful of live coals. He gasped and strangled, growing very red in the face, setting his lips together with a firm determination to swallow the scorching viand, or perish in the attempt. "Isn't it delicious?" demanded the unconscious host, smacking his lips in unfeigned admiration. "What the devil!" he added, looking up, and catching a glimpse of the agonized face of his guest. "Papa!" exclaimed Flossy. "If Burleigh liked curry," Patty said, coming quickly to the rescue, "he would forfeit my good opinion forever. I think it is the most diabolical compound that it has ever entered into the heart of man to invent." "Besides," her cousin put in, "I won't have you spoiling Mr. Blood's digestion with any of your monstrous mixtures. Think to what a condition you've reduced your own suffering family!" "Very well," Mr. Plant said, with the air of one who has cast his pearls before swine. "Just as you like." "But about this Smithers girl," Patty said indifferently. "What does he want of her?" "He came to get her home again, if he can find her. Somebody saw her on the street in Boston. But her mother says she won't take her back." "What does Mr. Putnam care about her?" queried Flossy. "I'm sure I don't know," Burleigh answered. "Some old flame," volunteered Mr. Plant a little spitefully. "I always thought Putnam couldn't be so quiet for nothing. He's a sly old boy. So he's after a runaway young woman, is he?" A sudden and entire silence fell upon the party at this unlucky outburst; but Patty quickly broke it. "I forgot to ask, Burleigh, when you are going home." "I must go on the first train to-morrow," he answered. "I have to be at home to-morrow night." "How nice!" Patty said. "I am going then. I am glad to have company." "Patty Sanford!" cried her cousin. "You won't go a step before Monday." But remonstrances were vain. Nothing could shake Patty's sudden determination to get away from Boston, now that her lover had come thither. Her conversation with Mrs. Smithers was indelibly imprinted upon her memory; and this new proof of his intimate relations with the woman or her daughter came to Patience like a stab in an old wound. She made a strong effort to hide her bitter sadness, but an irresistible impulse drove her homeward. They were all together in the parlor when Mr. Putnam's card was handed to Patty. "I will not see him!" she said excitedly, starting up from her chair. "See whom?" asked Floss; while Burleigh's face betrayed his astonishment at this sudden outburst. "Show him up here," Patty said to the servant, recovering her self-command. In another moment she was bowing to Tom Putnam, and giving him her fingers with an indifference which would not have discredited a society belle.