"A sort of dare?"
"Yes; to try out my trustful American way, which he was condemning and I upholding. I told him that I considered what a girl can determine for herself, with any sort of opportunity, to be a great deal more sufficient than the usual introduction and formal commendation which every one trusts. And he urged me to try what he calls my 'American' way with you and see how I would come out with it."
"And you said?"
"I would. I am really sorry that I shall not have an opportunity now. He was most delightfully—exasperating!"
"Mr. Dunneston?" the American repeated absently. "Isn't he?" He stood thinking an instant more and then moved back beside the girl against the hedge.
"You consider," he said at length, "what you and your mother could judge of me during the week I was with you almost constantly upon the Britannia enough to jus-
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