and just at that moment Philip Van Reypen came into the room.

In the dim half-light he descried Patty on the divan and Cameron
kneeling before her, and, as Mr. Van Reypen was blessed with a quick
temper, he felt a sudden desire to choke the talented Mr. Cameron.

"Patty!" Philip exclaimed, angrily.

"Yes, Philip," said Patty, in a voice of sweet humility.

"Come with me," was the stern command.

"Yes, Philip," and Patty arose and walked away with Van Reypen,
leaving Kit Cameron still on his knee.

"Well, I'll be hammered!" that gentleman remarked, as he rose slowly
and deliberately dusted off his knee with his handkerchief; "that
girl is a wonder! She's full of the dickens, but she's as sweet as a
peach. I always did like blondes best, whether she believes it or
not. But if I hadn't, I should now. There's only one girl in the
world for me. I wonder if she is mixed up with that Van Reypen chap.
He had a most proprietary manner, but all the same, that little
witch is quite capable of scooting off like that, just to tease me.
Oh, I'll play her own game and meet her on her own ground. Little
Poppycheek!" With a nonchalant air, Mr. Cameron sauntered back to
the music-room, and seated himself beside Miss Curtiss, with whom he
struck up an animated conversation, not so much as glancing at
Patty.

Patty observed this from the corner of her eye, and she nodded her