even when the men were left to their cigars. Instead he and Chester
made further acquaintance. When they returned to the ladies, "I want
you to talk with my wife," said Mr. Smith, and Chester obeyed. Yet
soon he was at mademoiselle's side again and she was saying in a
dropped voice:

"To-morrow when you're at the Castanados' to read, so privately, would
you be willing for Mme. De l'Isle to be there--just madame alone?"

Oh, but men are dull! "I'd be honored!" he said. "They can modify the
privacy as they please." Oh, but men are dull! There he had to give
place to M. Prieur and presently accepted some kind of social
invitation, seeing no way out of it, from the Smiths. So ended the
evening. Mlle. Chapdelaine was taken to her home, "close by," as she
said, in the Prieurs' carriage.

"They are juz' arround in Bourbon Street, those Chapdelaines," said the
De l'Isles to Chester, last to go. "Y'ought to see their li'l'
flower-garden. Like those two aunt' that maintain it, 'tis unique.
Y'ought to see that--and them."

"I have mademoiselle's permission," he replied.

"Ah, well, then!--ha, ha!" The pair exchanged a smile which seemed to
the parting guest to say: "After all he's not so utterly deficient!"




IX