that of the next day. Three afternoons they spent driving over the
Campagna, then back to Madame de Vaurigard's apartment for tea by the
firelight, till the enraptured American began to feel that the dream in
which he had come to live must of happy necessity last forever.

On the fourth afternoon, as he stepped out of the hotel elevator into
the corridor, he encountered Mr. Sneyd.

"Just stottin', eh?" said the Englishman, taking an envelope from his
pocket. "Lucky I caught you. This is for you. I just saw the Cantess
and she teold me to give it you. Herry and read it and kem on t' the
Amairikin Baw. Chap I want you to meet. Eold Cooley's thyah too. Gawt in
with his tourin'-caw at noon."

"You will forgive, dear friend," wrote Madame de Vaurigard,
"if I ask you that we renounce our drive to-day. You see, I
wish to have that little dinner to-night and must make
preparation. Honorable Chandler Pedlow arrived this morning
from Paris and that droll Mr. Cooley I have learn is
coincidentally arrived also. You see I think it would be
very pleasant to have the dinner to welcome these friends on
their arrival. You will come surely--or I shall be so truly
miserable. You know it perhaps too well! We shall have a
happy evening if you come to console us for renouncing our
drive. A thousand of my prettiest wishes for you.

"Helene."


The signature alone consoled him. To have that note from her, to own it,