Van Reypen looked at her. "So she won't raise a finger, won't she? And I've got to do it myself, have I? Well, then, I suppose I'll have to raise her finger for her." Patty's hand was lying idly in her lap, and he picked up her slender pink forefinger slowly, and with an abstracted air. "I don't know how raising a finger helps to patch up a spoiled friendship," he went on, as if to himself, "but she seems to think it does, and so, of course, it does! Well, now, mademoiselle, your finger is raised,--is our quarrel all patched up?" Philip held her finger in one hand, and clasped her whole hand with the other, as he smiled into her eyes, awaiting an answer to his question. Patty looked up suddenly, and quickly drew her hand away. "Unhand me, villain!" she laughed, "and don't bother about our friendship! I'm not worrying over it." "You needn't, little girl," and Philip's voice rang true. "Nothing can _ever_ shake it! And I apologise for my foolish anger. If you want to affect the society of men I don't like,--of course I've no right to say a word, and I won't. At any rate, not now, for I don't want to spoil this blessed making-up with even a thought of anything unpleasant." "Now, that's real nice of you, Philip," and Patty fairly beamed at him. "It's so nice to be friends again, after being near-not-friends!" "Yes, milady, and you made up just in time. Aunty Van is having an opera party to-morrow night, and she wants you to go." "Are you going?" and Patty put her fingertip in her mouth, and looked babyishly at him. "Oh, don't let that influence you. Decide for yourself." "Well, since _you_ don't care whether I go or not, I believe I won't go." "Foolish child! Of course you'll go. And then, as you know very well, wild horses couldn't keep me away." "How do wild horses keep people away? They must be trained to do it. And _then_, they're not wild horses any more." "What foolishness you do talk! Well, will you go to the opera with us?" "Yes, and thank you kindly, sir. Or, rather, I thank your august aunt for the invitation." "No, thank me. As a matter of fact, I made up the party. So it's really mine, though I accept Aunty Van's box for the occasion." "'Tis well, fair sir. I thank thee greatly. What may I do for thee in return?" Patty clasped her hands and looked a pretty suppliant, begging a favour. "Give me half a dozen more dances," replied Philip, taking her card to look at. "Not one left," said Patty, calmly. "And most of them halves!" exclaimed Philip. "What a belle you are, Patty!" "All the girls are," she returned, carelessly, which, however, was not quite true. "But I'll tell you what I will do. I'll give you half of number sixteen. That's Mr. Everson's, but I'll divide it. I told him I should." "You little witch! Did you save it for me?" "M--m----," and Patty slowly wagged her head up and down.