"Yes--about the fifteenth." Miss Trevor explained to Howard: "Bobby--Mr.
Berersford here--always fishes in Florida in January."

The conversation again became general and personal. Howard knew none of the
people of whom they were talking and all that they said was of the nature
of gossip. But they talked in a sparkling way, using good English, speaking
in agreeable voices with a correct accent, and indulging in a great deal of
malicious humour.

As they separated Mrs. Sidney, to whom Howard had not spoken during the
evening, said to Segur: "You must bring Mr. Howard on Sunday afternoon."

"Will you drop Marian at the house for me?" Mrs. Carnarvon asked her. "I
want to go on to Edith's."

Segur went with Mrs. Sidney and Marian to their carriage. "Who is Mr.
Howard?" Mrs. Sidney said, and Miss Trevor drew nearer to hear the answer.

"One of the editorial writers down on the paper and a very clever one--none
better. He works hard and is desperately serious and a regular hermit."

"I think he's very handsome--don't you, Marian?"

"I found him interesting," said Miss Trevor.

Howard thought a great deal about Miss Trevor that night, and she was still
in his head the next day. "This comes of never seeing women," he said to
himself. "The first girl I meet seems the most beautiful I ever saw, and
the most intellectual. And, when I think it over, what did she say that was