'
'I like you for that,' she replied laughing, 'and withdraw the
epithet as not being applicable. Now we are quits and can forget
and forgive;--only let there be the forgetting.'
'Never!' said Dolly, with his hand again on his heart.
'Then let it be a little dream of your youth,--that you once met a
pretty American girl who was foolish enough to refuse all that you
would have given her.'
'So pretty! So awfully pretty!' Thereupon she curtsied. 'I have
seen all the handsome woman in England going for the last ten
years, and there has not been one who has made me think that it
would be worth me while to get off my perch for her.'
'And now you would desert your perch for me?'
'I have already.'
'But you can get up again. Let it be all a dream. I know men like
to have had such dreams. And in order that the dream may be
pleasant the last word between us shall be kind. Such admiration
from such a one as you is an honour,--and I will reckon it among my
honours. But it can be no more than a dream.' Then she gave him
her hand. 'It shall be so;--shall it not?' Then she paused.
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