He smiled crookedly, making a lame effort to clamber back to her level of high spirits. “Didn’t you arrange that we were going only to be sensible?” She clasped her hands and gazed at him wistfully. “But we needn’t be sensible quite always; it wouldn’t be fun. Besides, if it was just business that brought you over, I ought to know, because----” “Because,” he laughed, “if it was just business, then it wasn’t you that brought me. And, if it wasn’t you, I’ll be going back directly. If it was just business, the only way you could make me stop longer would be by being more lavish with your sweetness. You’ve not changed. Desire; you’re still the dear, imperious Princess, always kindest at the moment of parting.’’ “Now you’re drizzling.” “I’m not. But you push me over precipices for the sheer joy of making me thank you when you pull me back to safety. I’m most happy to thank you, little Desire; but I’d be ever so much obliged if you wouldn’t try such risky experiments. You see, you know you’re going to rescue me, but I’m never certain.” She drooped towards him fluttering with merriment “Oh, youl What a lot you know!” With a quick transition of mood, she sat erect and became severely solemn. “I shan’t be nice all day unless you tell me. But if you do tell me----” The blank was wisely left for his imagination to fill in with eloquent promises. Then, putting all her charm into the question, “Why did you come?” He looked away, ashamed that she should see his unshared emotion. “You know already.” “But I’d rather hear it from your lips. It isn’t half as exciting to have to take things for granted.” “If you must have it, I came because of you.” “And not one scrap because of business?” “Not one scrap because of business. Business was my excuse to my people. I had to tell them something.” He was staring at her now. His soul stood beckoning in the windows of his eyes, watching for an answering signal. It was her turn to glance away. She had wakened something which both thrilled and frightened her. She took refuge in disappointment. “Then you didn’t mention me to them. My father doesn’t know. I wonder why you didn’t mention me. Was it because they--all those old-fashioned people--wouldn’t think me good enough?--No. No. Don’t touch me. Perhaps, after all, it’s better to be sensible. Let’s talk of something else.” “We’ve got to finish this now that you’ve started it.” His face was stern and he spoke determinedly. “I’d have passed over everything, for your sake, Princess-gone on pretending to take things for granted. But-d’you think you’re fair to me? You said, ‘Come to America if you really care.’ I thought that meant that you’d begun to care.-I hope it does.” She crossed her feet and resigned herself to the danger she had courted. “You’re spoiling a most glorious day; but I suppose it’s best to get things off one’s chest.” Then, in a composed, cool little voice, “Well?”