put on her hat, and drew on her gloves, "Edith, aren't you going out
with me?" "What for?" asked that young person indifferently.

"Why--for fun, and to make up. Haven't you forgiven me yet?"

Edith did not reply directly. "I am going out with mamma to buy our
dominoes for the Carnival, and to see our balcony. Albert has engaged
one for us, on the corner of the Corso and Santa Maria e Jesu. I suppose
you can go too. There will be an extra seat. We'll come home by the
Pincian Hill."

"Thank you," said Mae, "but I will get Eric and go for a tramp," and she
left the room with compressed lips and flushed cheeks. In the hall were
Albert, Eric and Norman, talking busily. "Where are you going Eric,
mayn't I go too, please?" "I'm sorry Mae, but this is an entirely
masculine affair--five-button gloves and parasols are out of the
question."

"O, Ric, I am half lonely." Mae laughed a little hysterically. At that
moment she caught Mr. Mann's eyes, full of sympathy. "But goodbye," she
added, and opened the door, "I'm going."

"Alone?" asked Norman, involuntarily.

"Yes, alone," replied Mae. "Have you any objections, boys?" Eric and
Albert were talking busily and did not hear her. Norman Mann held open
the door for her to pass out, and smiled as she thanked him. She smiled
back. She came very near saying, "I'm sorry I was rude the other day,
forgive me," and he came very near saying, "May I go with you, Miss
Mae?" But they neither of them spoke, and Norman closed the door with