out--and by that time my sister will have arrived, and we can defy
them."

"Yes," said Stella, and then, nervously, "won't you have some
tea?"

He sat down, still constrainedly and clasped his hands, and
womanlike, when she saw his agitation, her own lessened, and she
assumed command, while she asked almost archly if he took cream
and sugar.

He liked neither, he said, and with the air of a little hostess
she handed him the cup. Then she smiled softly and stood quite
near him.

He drew himself together and his face looked almost stern as he
took the tea, and over Stella there crept a chill--and the gay
little speech that had been bubbling to her lips died there, and a
silence fell upon them for a few moments. Then he put down his cup
and crossed to the stiff sofa where she was, and sat down beside
her.

"Sweetheart," he said, looking deeply into her eyes, "it is a
colossal temptation, you know, to me to make love to you. But I am
not going to permit myself that happiness yet. I want to tell you
all about what we shall do presently, and see if it pleases you."
He did not even take her hand, and Stella felt rather aggrieved
and wounded. "I propose that as soon as the formalities can be got
through, and the wedding can take place, that we go straight to
Paris--because you will want to get all kinds of clothes. And it