A more transparent pretext for drawing Patty away could not have
been conceived; but she readily lent herself to it, and followed.
The door closed behind them. In a few minutes Patty returned alone,
with rosy cheeks and mutinous lips.

"I'm very sorry to have been in the way," said Hilliard, smiling.

"Oh, not you. It's all right. Someone I know. He can be sensible
enough when he likes, but sometimes he's such a silly there's no
putting up with him. Have you heard the new waltz--the Ballroom
Queen?"

She sat down and rattled over this exhilarating masterpiece.

"Thank you," said Hilliard. "You play very cleverly."

"Oh, so can anybody--that's nothing."

"Does Miss Madeley play at all?"

"No. She's always saying she wishes she could but I tell her, what
does it matter? She knows no end of things that I don't, and I'd a
good deal rather have that."

"She reads a good deal, I suppose?"

"Oh, I should think she does, just! And she can speak French."

"Indeed? How did she learn?"