"I did mean to stay some time when I went East," he admitted, "but--well, perhaps I was homesick. Anyhow, I felt as if I'd got a hurry call to go home." "What an odd coincidence, our meeting here!" Angela spoke out her thought. "Ye-es," assented Nick. "I reckon it does seem that way." He was interested in the pattern of the carpet. "If you won't think it a liberty, now I _am_ here," he began again, "I'll be mighty glad to try and find your bag. If you'll tell me just how and where you lost it----" Angela shook her head. "You're not to spend your time fussing with the police, as you did in New York." "But I'd like it better than anything," he said. "I didn't come to New Orleans to see the sights, anyhow. I'll feel down and out if you won't let me help. 'Twill seem as if I'd managed wrong in New York." "Oh, if you're going to feel like _that_!" And forthwith Angela told him the story of her loss. "All your money and a check-book full of blank checks!" he echoed. "Yes. I've wired already to have the checks stopped for the bank's sake. But it's a bore. And I was fond of that bag. Besides, I had about five hundred dollars in my purse. Now I shall have to wait here till I can get more." "You wanted to go?" he asked. "Yes--to-morrow. However, that doesn't matter." "It does, if you wanted to. But, see here, ma'am, I've thought of something." "My name is Mrs. May," said Angela, smiling. "I know--I mean, are you willing I should call you it, just as if I was really acquainted with you?" "Of course. Why not?" "Well, you see," he explained. "What I don't know about society and the right way to act with ladies could be put in a book bigger than the Bible. And I wouldn't offend you, for--for a good deal." "I feel certain you'd know the 'right way to act,' by instinct," Angela assured him. "You were splendid to me that night in New York. Very few men would have known how to do what you did." "Thank you a thousand times for saying that, though I don't deserve one word," Nick burst out, flushing again, and hoping she did not see, because he had a trying task before him. "But my idea is this. Couldn't you let me lend the money you need, and go on when you like, instead of waiting? You could send it back, any old way--check or anything. And I wouldn't care a hang--I wouldn't care a red cent--when." "Oh, I couldn't----" Angela began, but the look on his face stopped her. It was so strong a mixture of disappointment and chagrin, as to make him instantly pathetic in her eyes. She had just said that he was a man whose instinct would always be right, and she had meant it sincerely. She knew, if she knew anything about men, that here was one of Nature's gentlemen. He had proved that already; and--it was a shame to hurt his feelings after all he had done for her.