You know it was far harder to manage than the last feast Moravia Cloudwater and I gave to the girls the night before she went to Paris! Isn't it fun! I do like having these adventures, don't you ?" "Yes," said Michael, and looked down into her face.
She was extremely pretty, he thought, in the soft dusk of this Northern evening.

Her leghorn hat with its wreath of blue forget-me-nots was most becoming and her brown hair was ruffled a little by the hat's hasty donning.
[Illustration: "He bounded forward to meet her"] "I needn't keep this old cloak on, need I ?" she asked.

"Nobody can see us here and it is so hot." He helped her off with it and carried it for her.

She looked prettier still now, the slender lines of her childish figure were so exquisite in their promise of beautiful womanhood later on, and the Sunday frock of white foulard was most sweet.
Michael was very silent; it almost made her nervous, but she prattled on.
"This is my best frock," she laughed, "because even though it is only a business arrangement, one couldn't get married in an old blouse, could one ?" "Of course not!" and he strode nearer to her.

"I am in evening dress, you see--just like a French bridegroom for those wedding parties in the Bois! so we are both festive--but here we are at the postern door!" He opened it with his key and they stole across the short lawn and up the balcony steps like two stealthy marauders.