'I thought I was a friend of yours.'

'I had hoped you were.'

'Then why don't you let me help you?'

'Help me?--How?'

'By letting you have the money for your South Americanexperiment;--it would be an investment on which I should expect toreceive good interest.'

I fidgeted.

'It is very good of you, Miss Grayling, to talk like that.'

She became very frigid.

'Please don't be absurd!--I perceive quite clearly that you aresnubbing me, and that you are trying to do it as delicately as youknow how.'

'Miss Grayling!'

'I understand that it was an impertinence on my part to volunteerassistance which was unasked; you have made that sufficientlyplain.'

'I assure you--'

'Pray don't. 0f course, if it had been Miss Lindon it would havebeen different; she would at least have received a civil answer.But we are not all Miss Lindon.'

I occasionally was aghast. The outburst was so uncalled for,--I had not thefaintest notion what I had exclaimed or done to cause it; she was insuch a surprising passion--and it suited her!--I thought I hadnever seen her look prettier,--I could do nothing else but stare.So she went on,--with just as little reason.

'Here is someone coming to claim this dance,--I can't throw all mypartners over. Have I offended you so irremediably that it will beimpossible for you to dance with me again?'

'Miss Grayling!--I shall be only too delighted.' She handed me hercard. 'Which may I occasionally have?'