CHAPTER XV.
"Oh, Miss Fanhall!" "What is it, Mrs.Truscot ?" "That was a great prank of yours last night, my dear.

We all enjoyed the joke so much." "Prank ?" "Yes, your riding on the ox cart with that old farmer and that young Mr.
What's-his-name, you know.

We all thought it delicious.

Ah, my dear, after all--don't be offended--if we had your people's wealth and position we might do that sort of unconventional thing, too; but, ah, my dear, we can't, we can't! Isn't the young painter a charming man ?" Out on the porch Hollanden was haranguing his friends.

He heard a step and glanced over his shoulder to see who was about to interrupt him.