"Kerr's been writing me notes from time to time, you know. In one of
them he mentioned that you were away from home. I wired him yesterday
from Tampa for your address."

"Dear Willie!" said Carlisle. "Do you know I'm mad to be at home again?"

They came to the shining hotel, and passed into the tea-room, which was
now rapidly filling up. The doorman greeted Mr. Canning by name. An
obsequious majordomo wafted him and his lady, with smiles, to the little
table of his choice. Many eyes were drawn to the young pair. He was a
man to be noticed in any company, but in presence and in air she was his
not unworthy mate. He himself became aware, even then, perhaps more than
ever then, that this provincial girl stood transplanting to a
metropolitan setting with unimpaired distinction....

"And tea-cakes, ma'am?" implored the loving waiter.

"Muffins," said Canning, and abolished him by a movement of his little
finger.

Carlisle would have preferred the tea-cakes, but she loved Hugo's lordly
airs.

He dropped his gloves into a chair, and there descended upon him a
winning embarrassment.

"Tell me now, for my sins and my penitence," he said in a low voice, his
strong fingers clasping a spoon, "that you have blotted away what
is past."