It seems almost a sacrilege to add that he was past man's perfect prime, and to hint that perhaps his scanty, unstreaked hair sought surreptitious rejuvenation in a drug-store bottle.
"William, Matilda will acquaint you with certain alterations in my plans," began his mistress.

"I desire to add that she will remain in the house alone during my absence; that you are to keep to your quarters in the stable and not enter the house; and that you are to arrange to take, at my expense, all your meals outside." William inclined his body slightly, as if to say, "Yes, my lady." "And in order to give the horses proper exercise, and to relieve Matilda's monotony, I desire you to take Matilda out driving every evening." Again William bowed a "Yes, my lady." "You understand this perfectly ?" William's lips executed one of their rare movements.
"Perfectly, Mrs.De Peyster." "Very well." Mrs.De Peyster dismissed him with a wave of her hand, and William made the exit of a minister from his queen.
"You don't mean--" began Matilda, almost breathless.
"Yes, I mean that I shall go out driving nightly in your clothes," responded Mrs.De Peyster.
"But--but--" gasped Matilda.
"Have no fear.

I shall, of course, be veiled, and William is the best-trained, the most incurious of servants." Mrs.De Peyster, looking her most majestic, stood waiting for the outburst of approval, just tribute to one who has conceived a supernally clever and flawless scheme.
"Well, now, Matilda," she prompted, "what do you think of the whole plan ?" "Since you thought it out, I--I--suppose it's all right," stammered Matilda.
"And you, Olivetta, what do you think ?" "Me!" cried Olivetta, who for the last minute had with difficulty restrained her ecstasy.

"Paris!--the Louvre!--the Luxembourg!--Versailles!" She flung her arms about Mrs.De Peyster's neck amid a shower of hairpins.

"Oh, Caroline--Caroline.