"That was dear of you! But don't you think for a minute that's all I'm going to have! There'll be an extra or two, and I claim them all!" "Hear the man talk!" exclaimed Patty. "Why, I do believe they're beginning an extra now! Mr. Van Reypen, won't you dance it with me?" Patty jumped up and stood before him, lightly swaying in time to the music. Philip sat looking at her, entranced by the pretty vision; and even before he could rise, Kenneth Harper came to Patty, and obeying a sudden coquettish impulse, she put her hand lightly on Kenneth's shoulder and they danced away. Philip Van Reypen sat looking after them, smiling. "What a transparent child she is," he thought to himself. "Her pretty little coquetries are like the gambols of a kitten. Now, she thinks I'm going to be annoyed at losing this dance with her. Well,--I am,--but I don't propose to quarrel with her about it." And then Patty and Kenneth came dancing back again; and Patty calmly told Mr. Van Reypen it was his turn now. Philip took her hand and they started off, and when that dance was finished it was supper-time. As usual, Patty and her most especial friends grouped in some pleasant corner for supper. But, looking about, she missed a familiar face. "Where is Christine Farley?" she said. "She always has supper with us. Do you know where she is, Mr. Hepworth?" Gilbert Hepworth drew near Patty, and spoke in a low voice: "I think she has gone to the dressing-room," he said. "I wish you'd go up and see her, Patty." A little startled at his serious face, Patty ran upstairs, to Elise's room, where she had taken off her wraps. There was Christine, who had thrown herself on a couch, and buried her face in the pillows. "Why, Christine, what is the matter, dear?" and Patty laid her hand gently on Christine's hair. "Oh, Patty, don't speak to me! I am not fit to have you touch me!" "Good gracious, Christine, what _do_ you mean?" and Patty began to think her friend had suddenly lost her mind. "I'm a bad, wicked girl! You were my friend, and now I've done an awful, dreadful thing! But, truly, _truly_, Patty, I didn't mean to!" "Christine Farley, stop this foolishness! Sit up here this minute, and tell me what you're talking about! I believe you're crazy." Christine sat up, her pale hair falling from its bands, and her eyes full of tears. "I've--I've--stolen----" she began. "Oh, you goose! _do_ go on! What have you stolen? A pin from Elise's pin cushion,--or some powder from her puff-box? Another dab on your nose would greatly improve your appearance,--if you ask me! It's as red as a beet!" "Patty, don't giggle! I'm serious. Oh, Patty, _Patty_, _do_ forgive me!" "I'll forgive you _anything_, if you'll tell me what's the matter, and convince me that you haven't lost your mind. Now, Christine, don't you _dare_ ask me to forgive you again, until you tell me _what for_!" "Well, you see, you were away all summer." "Yes, so I was," agreed Patty, in bewilderment.