"No, Patty, I am not implying anything of the sort. I only know that you are too young yet to be engaged to anybody, and I wish for your own sake you would wait,--at least until you are perfectly sure of your own affections. But if they are given to Mr. Van Reypen, I shall be glad for you that you have chosen so wisely." Patty looked at Farnsworth in amazement. Remembering what he had said to her last summer, it was strange to hear him talk this way. She could not know that the honest, big-hearted fellow was breaking his own heart at the thought of losing her; but that he unselfishly felt that Van Reypen, as a man of the world, was more fitting for pretty Patty than himself. He knew he was Western, and different from Patty's friends and associates, and he was so lacking in egotism or in self-conceit that he couldn't recognise his own sterling merits. And, too, though he was interested in some mining projects, they had not yet materialised, and he did not yet know whether the near future would bring him great wealth, or exactly the reverse of fortune. But Patty couldn't read his heart, and she was disappointed and piqued at his manner and words. Without even a glance into his earnest eyes, she said: "Thank you, Bill, for your advice; I know it is well meant, and I appreciate it. Please take me back to Philip now." Farnsworth gave her a pained look, but without a word turned and led her back to the group they had left. Philip was waiting there, and Patty, to hide the strange hurt she felt in her own heart, was exceedingly kind in her manner toward him. "Our dance, Philip," she said, gaily, and though it hadn't been engaged, Philip was only too glad to get it. Soon afterward, the ball was over, and they all went home. As Patty came from the cloak room, wrapped in her fur coat, Philip stepped up to her in such a possessive way, that Farnsworth, who had also been waiting for her, turned aside. "That's a foregone conclusion," said Jim Kenerley to Farnsworth, as he glanced at Patty and Philip. "Nonsense," said Adele. "Patty isn't thinking of conclusions yet. But I must say it would be a very satisfactory match." "Yes, Mr. Van Reypen seems to be a fine fellow," agreed Farnsworth. When they reached home, Patty said good-night, declaring she was weary enough to go straight to bed at once. "Will you come down again later, if you're hungry?" said Philip, smiling at the recollection of Christmas Eve. "No," and Patty flashed her dimples at him; and knowing that Farnsworth was listening, she added, "There's no moonlight to-night!" "Moonlight does help," said Philip. "Good-night, Little Bo-Peep." "Good-night, Bobby Shafto," and Patty started upstairs, then turned, and holding out her hand to Farnsworth, said "Good-night, King Lear; shall I see you in the morning?" "No; I leave on the early train," said Farnsworth, abruptly. "Good-night, Patty, and good-bye." He turned away, toward Daisy, and Patty went on upstairs.