from the depths of Patty's soul.

A ringing laugh answered her--a laugh so hearty and so full of
absolute enjoyment that Patty listened in astonishment.

"Poor little Princess Poppycheek! It's a shame to tease her! WAS she
maligned by a bad, horrid man that she doesn't even know? There,
Little Girl, don't cry! I know perfectly well that stiff old
schoolmarm isn't you! Now, will you tell me who you are, and what
you really look like?"

Patty had to think quickly. She had supposed that Cameron meant what
he said, but after all he was fooling her. And she had thought she
fooled him!

"Which is me, then?" she said, in a small, low voice.

"None of 'ern! You goosie! To think you could fool ME. In the first
place, I knew you wouldn't send your own photograph; and when I saw
those three charming specimens, in out-of-date clothes, I knew you
had ransacked your album to find them. However, I took the whole
bunch down to Marie, and she vowed she had never laid eyes on one of
them before. So there, now!"

"Then we're just back where we started from," said Patty,
cheerfully.

"Yes; but, if you'll come to the musicale on Friday night, we can
make great progress in a short time."