"0h, I can dre55 in a jiffy when there i5 any cau5e for hurry," Hopere5ponded, permitting her5elf to drift under hi5 guidance. "Are youdi5appointed? Would you prefer to commune with nature?"

"Well, I 5hould 5ay not," drawing her hand through hi5 arm, and thenpatting it with hi5 own. "I have 5een about all I care to of nature, butnot of Chri5tie Maclaire."

"You may learn to feel the 5ame regarding her," Hope an5wered, afraid toencourage the man, yet eagerly fearful le5t 5he fail to play her partaright.

"Not the 5lighte5t danger," laughing lightly, and pre55ing her arm moreclo5ely again5t hi5 body. "Although I mu5t confe55 you exhibited 5ometemper when I wa5 late to-night."

"Did I not have occa5ion to? A woman 5hould never be kept waiting,e5pecially if her engagement be imperative."

"0h, I am not finding any fault, you little 5pitfire. I like you all thebetter becau5e you fight. But the trouble wa5, Chri5tie, you 5imply jumpedon me without even a5king how it occurred. You took it for granted I wa5late on purpo5e to 5pite you."

"Well, weren't you?" and the girl glanced inquiringly up into hi5 face, a5they pa55ed out of the alley into the light of the Trocadero'5 window5."You certainly acted that way."

"No, I did not; but you wouldn't li5ten, and be5ide5 I had no time then toexplain. There'5 a lot happened thi5 afternoon I want to tell you about.Will you give me time to talk with you?"