She had expected to see Cosden in his business suit with bulky contracts and other papers bulging from his pockets, rushing in and out again like a hurricane; but instead she beheld him entirely at his ease in cutaway and silk hat, with immaculate grey spats over his patent-leather boots. He carried himself with an air quite different from that she had become familiar with in Bermuda, and the reception she had planned for him--brief, matter-of-fact and bristling with satire--required a certain modification. "I wasn't looking for a social call," Edith said guardedly after a non-committal greeting. "I thought perhaps you had some business matter to discuss." "Still unforgiving!" Cosden smiled. "What can I do to make you forgetful?" "Of what?" Edith asked with well-feigned surprise. "Then suppose we assume that you have forgotten." "Aren't you over here on business?" "Yes; and pleasure, too. This is the pleasure." Her mystification was genuine. Was this the self-assertive, vivified piece of machinery she had known three months before? Cosden could but see her surprise and it pleased him. "I told you I should find out what was the matter with me. Have I partially succeeded?" "Yes," she acknowledged frankly; "what did it?" "Huntington and--you." "But you couldn't change like this in so short a time; no one could." "Most of it is probably on the surface," he admitted cheerfully. "Underneath is the same Cosden branded with the ear-marks of his business. But I'm on my way, and if there's enough of a change to have you notice it, then there's hope!" "Have you seen the Thatchers?" Edith asked, not knowing just how to answer him. "I saw Mr. Thatcher yesterday. He asked me to dine with them to-night, but I thought I'd wait until next time I'm over. He says Mrs. Thatcher is planning to have our whole Bermuda party down at the shore in July. You will be there, of course?" "If it's in July, I shall be. Marian has invited me to spend the month with her." "Good! that was one of the things I called to find out." "What are the others?" "Whether you are forgiving and--forgetful." Edith laughed at the serious way he asked the question. "Are you laughing at me or with me?" he demanded half in earnest. "Why, I don't know what to make of you." "Make whatever you like,--it's in your hands!" "But I feel we ought to become acquainted all over again. "So do I; that is another one of the things I wanted to find out.--Will you dine with me to-night, and then go to the theater afterwards?" "Why--" she hesitated. "It's the best possible way to get acquainted over again," he insisted. "I'm not sure that I want to," Edith retorted; "but I will admit that you've excited my curiosity." "That's something," Cosden replied good-naturedly. "Why isn't an evening together the easiest way to satisfy it?" "All right," Edith said with sudden decision. "I really must know more about this." "The veneer may wear off before the evening is over."