Cherokees."

My hands were soon filled. It was pleasant sitting there in that
fragrant, sunny drawing-room, with two of the most gracious and graceful
women in England. Yet it was hard. I had gone there purposely to tell
the story of my love, and now I was condemned to sit for hours by
Agatha's side and say nothing to her.

"Perhaps fortune may favor me," I thought; "Lady Thesiger may leave the
room, and then I will not lose a moment."

How fervently I blessed these Cherokees before the day was ended no one
will ever know. Lady Thesiger never left us; Agatha worked very hard.
Looking at the sweet, calm, high-bred face, I wondered if she knew that
a lover, with his heart on fire, sat near her.

Lunch came--we went to the dining-room. Lady Thesiger told us we had
only half an hour to spare; she had promised the duchess to send
everything in that evening, and she did not wish to break her word.

"It is worse than slavery," I said, and Lady Thesiger laughed, little
knowing why I was so impatient.

Back again to work. Happily, all was finished, and the servants were
called in to pack the pretty, fragile articles.

"Now I shall have five minutes," I thought to myself, "and I will find
out whether she cares for me or not."

Alas! there was the dressing-bell. "We have just finished in time for