"Yes--yes--she is--she is!" he stammered. There was a short silence, and then he said: "Miss Marsh--I want to apologize for--for--for my--my--conduct the other night----" "Apologize!" she exclaimed, as if not understanding. "Yes," he stammered. "I'm very sorry--very sorry----" "Sorry--why, what did you do?" she demanded. Harry looked at her in surprise. "It isn't what I did so much," he said hesitatingly, "as what I said--I--want--you to forgive me----" Paula smiled. "There's nothing to forgive, Mr. Parkes. The fact is, you won't think I--I'm rude, will you--but--I hardly remember what happened last night. I was very weak and foolish, and I'm afraid I gave way to--to tears. I don't believe in tears--it seems you're sorry for yourself--and I'm not sorry for myself--I'm angry with my relations--I'm angry because they make me angry. I love peace and happiness and a calm, quiet life--and they make my existence a hell on earth--with their attacks on my father and mother and their lawsuits. My heart is always in my mouth--I'm always afraid that something dreadful is going to happen--any moment I may hear the Court's decision. I'm unhappy, Mr. Parkes--and I've no right to be unhappy. I'm young and I have a happy disposition--every capacity to enjoy my life but----" Shaking her head, she added: "But there, I'm not going to bother you with my troubles. You're home early----" "You're sure that you're not angry with me?" "Why, no--what for--whatever did you say or do?" He hesitated and looked at her, trying to read her mind. Her self-possession disconcerted him. "Never mind," he said finally, "I was very foolish----" "Were you?" she replied calmly. "I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary." He advanced a step nearer and his voice was agitated, as he burst out: "You see, Miss Marsh, I----" "Do you mind calling me Paula," she said in the most matter-of-fact tone. "I hate the name of Marsh--it's my Uncle James' name--and it's always on those horrid law papers--'_Marsh versus Marsh_.' It's always connected with defendants and plaintiffs and--affidavits--and other horrible instruments of torture. My heart beats every time I see the dreadful words. _Marsh versus Marsh!_ I dream of _Marsh versus Marsh_--and when I wake up in the morning--the first thing that greets me in the morning paper is _Marsh versus Marsh_. I hate the name--I hate it!" Was this the opportunity? Harry did not know but he seized it. "Why--why not change it?" he murmured. Paula smiled. "That idea has occurred to me dozens of times," she said gaily. "I will when this horrible lawsuit is settled." His companion grew a shade paler. "Is that a--a bargain----" he asked seriously. "Yes," she laughed. "And may I--pick--pick out a suitable name for you----?" "If you like," she said lightly; "any old name will do--Smith--Jones--Billikins----" "Even Par--Parkes?" he suggested. "Yes--even Parkes," she laughed. "Anything but Marsh----"