"What a silly you are, Patty Pink! Now, I've no doubt that tall, majestic-looking creature wishes she could be a little fairy, like you." "But a big woman is so much more graceful and dignified." "Patty, I do believe you're fishing! And I _know_ you're talking nonsense! Dignified isn't just the term I should apply to you,--but if there's anybody more graceful than you are, I've yet to see her." "Oh, Roger, that's dear of you. You know very well, I hate flattery or compliments, but when a real friend says a nice thing it does me good. And, truly, it's the regret of my life, that I'm not about six inches taller. There, look at Zenobia now. She's walking with that King Lear. Aren't they a stunning couple?" "Yes, they are. But if I were you, I wouldn't be envious of other women's attractions. You have quite enough of your own." "Never mind about me," said Patty, suddenly realising that she was talking foolishly. "Let's talk about Mona. She's looking beautiful to-night, Roger." "She always does," and Roger had a strange thrill in his voice, that struck a sympathetic chord in Patty's heart. "What about her, Roger? Isn't she good to you?" "Not very. She's capricious, Patty; sometimes awfully kind, and then again she says things that cut deep. Patty, do you think she really cares for that Lansing man?" "I don't know, Roger. I can't make Mona out at all, lately. She used to be so frank and open with me, and now she never talks confidences at all." "Well, I can't understand her, either. But here comes Mr. Collins, looking for you, Patty. Is only half of this dance mine?" "Yes, Roger. I had to chop up every one, to-night. You may have one after supper, if you like." Patty whirled through the various dances, and at the last one before supper she found herself again with Philip Van Reypen. "Why, I didn't know this was yours!" she cried, looking at her card, where, sure enough, she saw the initials B. S. "It sure is mine," returned Bobby Shafto; "but we're not going to dance it." "Why not, and what are we going to do?" "We're going to wander away into the conservatory." "There isn't any conservatory. This is a club-house, you know." "Well, they've fixed up the gymnasium, so it's almost a conservatory. It's full of palms and flowers and things, and it makes a perfectly good imitation." "But why do we go there?" asked Patty, as Philip led her away from the dancing-room. "Oh, to settle affairs of state." He led her to the gymnasium, and sure enough, tall palms and flowering plants had been arranged to form little nooks and bowers, which were evidently intended for tete-a-tete conversations. "You know," Philip began, as they found a pleasant seat, under some palms, "you know, Patty, you promised me something." "Didn't, neither." "Yes, you did, and I'm going to hold you to your promise. You promised----" "'Rose, you promised!'" sang Patty, humming a foolish little song that was an old-fashioned favourite.