Castle Craneycrow

he sensation of jubilant delight because he had come to Brussels. At the same time, even though his visit was that of a mere friend, it promised c

one who has experienced a very unpleasant surprise. The calm, cold tone was not far from accusing; her steely eyes were hard and uncompromisi

be quite the proper thing to demand the reason for his presence here

?" There was refined belligerence in her voice. Dorothy gave a brief thought to the cool, unabashed young man

d as you over his sudden advent. It is ba

t he?" This was

yet to unravel. Shall we

ow can you make light of this

Can we help ourselves if he knocks at our door and asks to see us?" Dorothy felt a smart tug of guilt as she looked back

pers, and he knows that we cannot permit them to be repeated over here. He has no right to thrust himself upon us under the circumstances. Y

capable of any desire to have me talked about, He knows me and he likes me too well for that. Perhaps he will go away soo

said Mrs. Garrison

drive him away?" said

owner of that glorious title. A single step remains and then you are no longer Dorothy Garrison. Philip Quentin I have always disliked, even mistrusted. His reputation in New York was that of a man of the town, a rich roisterer, a 'bre

"Philip is not what you call him. He is a gentleman." Mother and daughter looked into each other's eyes

defen

ould def

man to defend. Do

gentleman. It will then be time for

m my compliments and say that we trust he may come every day. He affords us a subject for pleasa

doesn't help matters and-" be

may be generous enough to share with you, I can say no more. When you are ready to dismiss him, you shall find me

y, "only I am quite positive Phil would refuse to be thrown by less than t

too glad to see him if he calls again," and there w

with something akin to humiliation. After all

upstairs," replied M

ve that swept through her being. Quentin was stretched out comfortably in a big chair, his back toward the stairs, his eyes upon the busy avenue below. She paused for a moment at the foot

aps, some of them, too. The old families that came over in the Ark with Moses-er, Noah, I should say."

gain." She seated herself on a divan near the window, a trifle out of the glaring light of the Augus

riefly. Then, with new animation:

replied, smiling serenely, f

me? But, really, I'd like to know what it wa

it is the first time I ever saw you interes

u mean to

redly

e anything to a fellow that he can't be all

and all the other kind of too's, while I am just an unaccountable ninny. If y

so that I can see your eyes. That's right! Now, look at me squarely. Will you te

N

can always tell by a girl's

not st

g the subject, I think I'll like Brussels if I stay here long enough." He was again nonchalant, indifferent. Under her mask

pect-I mean purpose

week. You see, I'm not committing myself to any specified degree of insanity; it won't make so much differenc

easantries-some pleasantries, it is fair to say-and there seemed to be no gentle way of escape. At the same

id," she found courage to say. "Or do you kno

n. It won't be dull-not in the least. We'll ride

am to be married in six weeks?" she cri

od fellow he is. That's what girls like, you know, and I don't mind in the least. If you want to talk about him by the hour, I won't utter an objection. Of course

e mamma w

ant to marry you? Good heavens!" So devout was his implied denial of such a project that she felt herself grow

se from the needless exposure to comment. You remember what the London paper said about us." If she thought

ve had more time to think about it. You see, I've been here but ten hours, and I may be willing to leave tomorrow, that is, after I've seen more of the to

y, you don't know ho

t want to see me at all, Dorothy," he said,

u know I want to see y

rely hint that I am unwelcome." She

u are foolish to speak in that

our mo

endure wha

s de la Cambre is the finest park in

eker is reliable," sh

ome for you. Will you remember me to your mother and

's a way," she mused, as she went to her room upstairs. An hour later her daily letter to the prince was ready for the post. The only allusion to the visitor of the morning was: "M

on a fair way to completion. She gave no thought to the fortune that these gowns were to cost, she considered not the glories she was to reap by becoming a real princess, she

ers, her wedding gown, and Ugo's dark, glowing face rushed in and out of her vision as she leaned back in her chair and-almost forgot to breathe. The thought of Ugo grew and grew; she closed her eyes and saw him at her side as they walked proudly from the altar with the good bishop's blessing and the song of the choir in their ears, the

with a start, Ugo's face fading away like a flash. The thought had rushed in like a