say--my--er--knowledge of my client--er--Mr. Hotchkiss--may effect--a
compromise."

"And DAMAGES," said the young girl, readdressing her parasol, as if she
had never looked up.

The Colonel winced. "And--er--undoubtedly COMPENSATION--if you do not
press a fulfillment of the promise. Unless," he said, with an attempted
return to his former easy gallantry, which, however, the recollection of
her eyes made difficult, "it is a question of--er--the affections."

"Which?" asked his fair client softly.

"If you still love him?" explained the Colonel, actually blushing.

Zaidee again looked up; again taking the Colonel's breath away with eyes
that expressed not only the fullest perception of what he had SAID, but
of what he thought and had not said, and with an added subtle suggestion
of what he might have thought. "That's tellin'," she said, dropping her
long lashes again.

The Colonel laughed vacantly. Then feeling himself growing imbecile, he
forced an equally weak gravity. "Pardon me--I understand there are no
letters; may I know the way in which he formulated his declaration and
promises?"

"Hymn-books."

"I beg your pardon," said the mystified lawyer.