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"Will you ith me a little way?" I inquired stiffly

"Walk with you? Oh, what pleasure! Where? On Broadway? On Crown Street? On Queen Street? Or do you prefer Front Street and Old Slip? I wish to be perfectly agreeable, Carus, and I'll do anything to please you, even to running aith you in an Italian chaise!"

"I may ask you to do that, too," I said

"Aska maid? Give me a moment to fetch a sun-mask and I'm off with you to any revel you please--short of the Coq d'Or," she added, with a daring laugh--"and I ht be persuaded to that--as far as the cherry-trees--with you, Carus, and let !"

We had walked on into Broadway and along the foot-path under the li rass and salt breeze led in exquisite freshness

"I had a dish of tea with soreeable people in Queen Street," she remarked "Lady Coleville is there still I took Mrs Barry's chair to buyher head on one side for my inspection

"It is modish," I replied indifferently

"Certainly it ishat, and cost a penny, too Oh, Carus, when I think what that husband of mine must pay to maintain me----"

"What husband?" I said, startled

"Why, any husband!" She esture "Did I say that I had picked him out yet, silly? But there must be one some day, I suppose"

We had strolled as far as St Paul's and had now returned as far as Trinity The graves along the north transept of the ruined church were green and starred ild flowers, and we turned into the churchyard, walking very slowly side by side

"Elsin," I began

"Ah! the gentleue," she exclaimed softly "Speak, Sir Frippon; thy Sacharissa listens"

"I have only this to ask Dance with ht, will you?--nay, twice, Elsin?"

She seated herself upon a green mound and looked up at me from under her chip hat "I have not at all made up my mind," she said "Captain Butler is to be there He may claim every dance that Sir Henry does not claim"