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The next day he persuaded May to escape for a walk in the Park after luncheon As was the custom in old-fashioned Episcopalian New York, she usually accompanied her parents to church on Sunday afternoons; but Mrs Welland condoned her truancy, having that very ement, with ti the proper nu of trees along the Mall was ceiled with lapis lazuli, and arched above snow that shone like splintered crystals It was the weather to call out May's radiance, and she burned like a young lances turned on her, and the si perplexities

"It's so delicious--waking everyto smell lilies-of-the-valley in one's room!" she said

"Yesterday they ca--"

"But your re each day to send theiven a standing order, and they ca on the minute, like one's music-teacher--as I know Gertrude Lefferts's did, for instance, when she and Lawrence were engaged"

"Ah--they would!" laughed Archer, amused at her keenness He looked sideways at her fruit-like cheek and felt rich and secure enough to add: "When I sent your lilies yesterday afternoon I saw soeous yellow roses and packed theht?"

"How dear of you! Anything of that kind delights her It's odd she didn't mention it: she lunched with us today, and spoke of Mr Beaufort's having sent her wonderful orchids, and cousin Henry van der Luyden a whole hamper of carnations from Skuytercliff She seems so surprised to receive flowers Don't people send them in Europe? She thinks it such a pretty custom"

"Oh, well, no wonder mine were overshadowed by Beaufort's," said Archer irritably Then he remembered that he had not put a card with the roses, and was vexed at having spoken of them He wanted to say: "I called on your cousin yesterday," but hesitated If Madaht seeave the affair an air of an to talk of their own plans, their future, and Mrs Welland's insistence on a long engageie were engaged for two years: Grace and Thorley for nearly a year and a half Why aren't we very well off as we are?"