"Oh, no! it was not. This one is real lace." "The--the washerwoman must have made a mistake." Miss Thomas said nothing. "You must keep it all the same, Miss Thomas." "I cannot keep what belongs to other people," said she unappreciatively. Vane bit his lips. "I--I will make it right with the washerwoman," said he clumsily. Miss Thomas's look was more hopelessly unsympathetic than ever; and, folding the bit of lace, she laid it on the table by his elbow. "The fact is," Vane went on, with a pretended burst of confidence, "the one you lent me was ruined: so I did get this one instead. Please take it." "It is much more valuable than mine," said she coldly. "Please take it," said Vane again, with the iteration of a school-boy. Miss Thomas began to take offence. "How can you expect me to do such a thing?" said she, rising as if to dismiss him. Evidently a bold push was necessary. He took the bit of lace and threw it quickly into the open fire, counting on the feminine instinct which would not suffer her to see old lace destroyed. With a little cry, Miss Thomas bent down and pulled it from the coals. "Let it burn," said he, rising and putting on his gloves. "If you do not want it, I am sure I do not." And he silently refused to take the handkerchief, pretending to busy his hands with his hat and cane. "Good-by," said he. "Good-by," replied Miss Thomas, coldly, laying the handkerchief back on the centre-table. When Vane got to the hall he looked at her a moment in turning to open the front door. She was standing before the fire with a heightened color in her face, whether of a blush or anger he could not tell. XI. VANE went home much discontented with himself. He had not only behaved like an ass, but he had made a blunder. He had gone much further than he meant to in seeking not to go so far. And he found that he loved her more than he thought, now that he had displeased her. He wanted diversion that night, and did not know what to do. Miss Thomas was his usual diversion. John was away. Finally, after dinner, he happened into Wallack's theatre--it was the interval between the first and second acts. The first person that he saw was Miss Thomas, and a young man in evening dress was seated next her. Vane paid little attention to the play, and at the end of the second act he went out without speaking to her.