"Do you know," said Hélène, "that your friends the Nevilles have recently been very nice to me? They have called, and have returned my call, and have asked me to dinner. I suppose cordiality takes longer to arrive at maturity in New York State than in any other part of the Union. But when New York people make up their minds to be agreeable, they certainly are delightful." "They're a bunch of snobs," said Ogilvy, calmly. "Oh!" said Hélène with a distressed glance at Annan. "He's one, too," observed her affianced, coolly nodding toward Annan. "We're a sickening lot, Hélène--until some charming and genuine person like you comes along to jounce us out of our smiling and imbecile self-absorption." "I," said Annan gravely, "am probably the most frightful snob that ever wandered, in a moment of temporary aberration, north of lower Fifth Avenue." "I'm worse," observed Sam gloomily. "Help us, Hélène, toward loftier aspirations. Be our little uplift girl--" "You silly things!" she said indignantly. Later two riders passed the house, Cameron and Stephanie Swift, who saluted Hélène most cordially, and waved airy recognition to the two men. "More snobs," commented Sam. "They are very delightful people!" retorted Hélène hotly. "Most snobs are when they like you." "Sam! I won't have you express such sentiments!" He bent nearer to her: "Dearest, I never had any sentiments except for you. And only the inconvenient propinquity of that man Annan prevents me from expressing them." "Please, Sam--" "Don't be afraid; I won't. He wouldn't care;--but I won't.... Hello! Why look who's here!" he exclaimed, rising. "Why it's the great god Kelly and little Sunshine!"--as Neville and Valerie sprang out of Mrs. Collis's touring car and came up the walk. Hélène went forward to meet them, putting one arm around Valerie and holding out the other to Neville. "When did you arrive, darling?" she exclaimed. "How do you do, Mr. Neville? Valerie, child, I'm perfectly enchanted to see you. But where in the world are you stopping?" "At Ashuelyn," said the girl, looking straight into Hélène's eyes. A faint flash of telepathy passed between them; then, slowly, Hélène turned and looked at Neville. "Will you wish us happiness?" he said, smiling. "Oh-h," whispered Hélène under her breath--"I do--I do--God knows. I wish you everything that makes for happiness in all the world!" she stammered, for the wonder of it was still on her. Then Sam's voice sounded close at hand: "Why," he said admiringly, "it _looks_ like lovey and dovey!" "It is," said Valerie, laughing. "You!--_and_ Kelly!" "We two." Sam in his excitement became a little wild and incongruous: "'My wife's gone to the country! Hooray! Hooray!'" he shouted, holding hands with Annan and swinging back and forth. "Sam!" exclaimed Hélène, mortified.