"Yes, indeed," he returned; "I've only just begun to realise the
beautiful qualities in her nature. And it is to you, Patty, that I
owe my happiness. I shall never forget what you did in order that
Christine might come to New York."

"And now we are surprised at the result," said Patty, who never
could be serious for long at a time. "Come on, people, you've had
enough supper, let's have one more dance and then we must go home
and leave these turtledoves to their own nest."

But the one dance proved to mean several, until at last Patty said,
"This will never do! Christine is all tired out, and as the
superintendent of this party I order you all to go home at once."

The others laughingly agreed, except Philip Van Reypen, who came
near Patty and murmured, "You haven't danced with me once to-night,
and you've been awful cruel to me lately, anyway. Now let us have
one more dance in honour of the bride's home-coming."

"No," said Patty, firmly, "not another dance to-night."

"Just a part of one, then," begged Philip; but Patty was inexorable.

And so the merry crowd dispersed, Patty lingering a moment to give
Christine a good-night kiss and wish her every blessing and
happiness in her new home.

"And I have you to thank for it all, Patty dear," said Christine,
her blue eyes looking lovingly into Patty's own.