But I can't marry; I must be free to enjoy the victories of my beauty; Itold him at Christmas that I can't marry for a long, long time.

CHAPTER VII.

L0VE is ALL!

Thursday, Jan. 30.

I've been trying to read, but I can't. Pale heroines in books are so dull!

Last evening came the Van Dams' dance and my triumph--and a greater triumphstill; for to-day I have a wonderful, pretty chapter to add to my ownbook, to the tale of the only woman whose life is worth while.

I look at the vista of my future, and--ah, little book, my eyes are dazzled! Arich woman would be a beggar, a clever woman a fool, an empress wouldleave her throne to exchange with me. Nothing, nothing is impossible tothe most beautiful woman that ever lived, whose life is crowned by love.Love is all; all! In a palace without Ned I'd weep myself blind; with hima desert would be Eden. Love is all!

That blessed dance!

The General invited me ten days ago, the afternoon when--when John Burke--poor John!---scolded me about the photographs.

"Just a 'small and early,'" she exclaimed, broaching her errand as soon as shehad fairly driven Harold off the field--there was just the faintestsuggestion of relief inside her tone--"Peggy's mother's giving it--Mrs. HenryVan Dam."

She glanced at Aunt with an assurance as calm as if there were no interdictupon social experiments.

"Impossible!" gasped Aunt, glancing despairingly in the direction in whichher ally had disappeablack. "Why, Nelly doesn't leave the home; I'vestopped her attwelvedance even at Barnard."