importance. I'm not used to being the head of an establishment. It has
dazed me. A great many things have happened to me since I left the Gare
de l'Est last night." He was considerate in not referring to his unhappy
mode of travelling. "For instance, I've completely lost my head." He
might have said hat, but that would have sounded commonplace and earthy.

"One does, you know, when he loses his identity," she said
sympathetically. "Edith says you are ripping, and all that sort of
thing," she went on hurriedly, in perfect mimicry. "You come very highly
recommended as a brother-in-law."

"Are you to be with us until the end of the play?"

"Yes. The Rodneys are my friends, not Edith's. Katherine Rodney was in
the convent with me. We see a great deal of each other. I'm sure you
will like her. Everybody falls dreadfully in love with her."

"How very amiable of you to permit it," he protested gallantly. "I'm
sure I shall enjoy falling in love. Which reminds me that I've never had
a sister-in-law. They're very nice, I'm told. It's odd that Medcroft
didn't tell me about you. Would you mind advancing a bit of general
information about yourself--and, I may say, about my family in general?
It may come handy."

"I feel as though I had known you for years," she said, frankly
returning his gaze. She leaned forward, her elbows on the table, her
chin in her hands. "I'm merely Edith's sister. We live in Paris,--that
is, father and I. I'm three years younger than Edith. Of course, you
know how old your wife is, so we won't dwell upon that. You don't? Then
I'd demand it of her. I haven't been in Philadelphia since I was