“Well, then,” snappishly, “it is Daisie Bell.” “Well, she is a daisy, and no mistake, and a belle, too--the rarest beauty I ever saw; and I’m bound to know her soon. I’m in love at first sight.” His cousin frowned, and cried sharply: “Royall, you shan’t turn that simple girl’s head with your flatteries.” “I tell you, Lutie, I’m in dead earnest!” “Nonsense!” Dallas Bain said nothing, but his deep eyes gleamed with a subtle fire, and he resolved that he, too, would make the acquaintance of the lovely girl whose single earnest glance had thrilled him so deeply that it seemed to him already that she must be his fate. It was strange how much business the two young men had on Temple Street the next few days, either riding or walking, and always watching eagerly for another glimpse of the fair face that had charmed them so. Once they saw her again on the porch, and twice at the upper window, and finally they met her coming out of her gate, apparently going for a morning call. She blushed brightly at their admiring glances, and stepped briskly in front of them, walking along for about two blocks, setting them wild with her graceful carriage, like a young princess, then stopped and went into a house whose occupants they knew as acquaintances of Mrs. Fleming. They nudged each other, and Royall exclaimed eagerly: “Let us go in and call on that pretty little Miss Janowitz. Then she will introduce us to the beauty.” But Dallas Bain hesitated, though his heart was following the girl inside. He said tentatively: “It does not look quite fair to force an acquaintance. Let us try for an introduction in a more proper way.” “A fig for the proprieties! I’m bound to get up a flirtation with that beautiful creature,” vowed Royall recklessly, opening the gate and going in while nodding a gay farewell to his friend, who turned away with a jealous pang at his heart, though muttering to himself: “If she would flirt with him, she is not worth my winning.” Royall Sherwood was cordially welcomed by Miss Annette Janowitz, a charming little brunette, as brilliant and restless as a humming bird. “I have seen you passing several times this week, and I wondered if you were looking for me,” she said gayly. “But let me introduce you to my friend, Miss Bell.” They bowed to each other, Royall with _empressement_, Daisie with reserve; for, having seen him in the vicinity of her home so much lately, she rather suspected the conquest she had made, but resented this way of forcing an acquaintance. “The impudence!” she thought resentfully, while Annette continued to chatter gayly, flashing her dangerous black eyes at him. “I saw Mr. Bain leaving you at the gate. Why didn’t he come in, also?”