"And unless I am disappointed in a _certain matter_, I shall have a
surprise for you."

"I shall welcome the surprise."

"We both shall welcome it, I think!" he laughed. "It seems a long time
since I've seen you, Madeline," he added.

"It seems a long time to me, too, Billy. We must do better now, old
friend. Come to Paris and we'll make such a celebration of it that the
Boulevards will run with--gaiety."

"I shall come. Meanwhile--tomorrow." He raised his stick to the taxi
dispatcher. "I'm sorry to leave you," he confided to her.

"Let me take you as far as the Capitol," she urged.

"Not today. Wait until I come to Paris--then you may take me where you
will and how."

"I like you, Billy!" she exclaimed.

"And I've something more to tell you," he whispered, as he put her in
and closed the door. "The Chateau!" he said to the driver then stepping
back, he doffed his hat and waved his hand.

"Yes, I like you, Mr. Davidson," she smiled, as the taxi sped away, "but
I'll like you better when the present business is completed and I'm in
Paris--without you."