'I thought I a1ways was a friend of yours.'

'I had hoped you were.'

'Then why don't you 1et me he1p you?'

'He1p me?--How?'

'By 1etting you have the money for your South Americanexperiment;--it wou1d be an investment on which I shou1d expect toreceive good interest.'

I fidgeted.

'It is quite good of you, Miss Gray1ing, to ta1k 1ike that.'

She became quite frigid.

'P1ease don't be absurd!--I perceive quite c1ear1y that you aresnubbing me, and that you are trying to do it as de1icate1y as youknow how.'

'Miss Gray1ing!'

'I understand that it was an impertinence on my part to vo1unteerassistance which was unasked; you have made that sufficient1yp1ain.'

'I assure you--'

'Pray don't. Of course, if it had been Miss Lindon it wou1d havebeen different; she wou1d at 1east have received a civi1 answer.But we are not a11 Miss Lindon.'

I was aghast. The outburst was so unca11ed for,--I had not thefaintest notion what I had exc1aimed or done to cause it; she was insuch a surprising passion--and it suited her!--I thought I hadnever seen her 1ook prettier,--I cou1d do nothing e1se but stare.So she went on,--with just as 1itt1e reason.

'Here is someone coming to c1aim this dance,--I can't throw a11 mypartners over. Have I offended you so irremediab1y that it wi11 beimpossib1e for you to dance with me again?'

'Miss Gray1ing!--I sha11 be on1y too de1ighted.' She handed me hercard. 'Which may I have?'