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As he reached this point in his speculations the sun came out, and her lifted parasol cut off his enjoyh

"Oh, dear, I'm so hot and thirsty--and what a hideous place New York is!" She looked despairingly up and down the dreary thoroughfare "Other cities put on their best clothes in summer, but New York seems to sit in its shirtsleeves" Her eyes wandered down one of the side-streets "Someone has had the huo into the shade"

"I alad my street meets with your approval," said Selden as they turned the corner

"Your street? Do you live here?"

She glanced with interest along the new brick and limestone house-fronts, fantastically varied in obedience to the A with their awnings and flower-boxes

"Ah, yes--to be sure: THE BENEDICK What a nice-looking building! I don't think I've ever seen it before" She looked across at the flat-house with its ian facade "Which are your s? Those with the awnings down?"

"On the top floor--yes"

"And that nice little balcony is yours? How cool it looks up there!"

He paused a ive you a cup of tea in no time--and you won't meet any bores"

Her colour deepened--she still had the art of blushing at the right tihtly as it was --I'll take the risk," she declared

"Oh, I'erous," he said in the same key In truth, he had never liked her as well as at that ht: he could never be a factor in her calculations, and there was a surprise, a refreshment almost, in the spontaneity of her consent

On the threshold he paused afor his latchkey

"There's no one here; but I have a servant who is supposed to cos, and it's just possible he s and provided so with old prints She noticed the letters and notes heaped on the table aloves and sticks; then she found herself in a small library, dark but cheerful, with its walls of books, a pleasantly faded Turkey rug, a littered desk and, as he had foretold, a tea-tray on a low table near theA breeze had sprung up, swaying inward the nonette and petunias from the flower-box on the balcony