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the Colosseum in my ball gown? Oh, no. Papa laughed and said that when one is rich one can do anything. Besides, he was by then much too busy with success—and his Roman birds of paradise. And Mama—” She paused and was silent.
    Katrina had long judged Mrs. Lutonville a beautiful but selfish lady, who was proud of her handsome husband but had not the slightest interest in her children. After a moment she said carefully, “She must surely have enjoyed the sunshine.”
    â€œThat alone, I think. She was miserable because of Papa’s neglect of her, and very bored. When Joan married there was much to be planned, for it was a very large wedding, as you know. It gave Mama something to brighten her days, but—she soon lost interest. I sometimes thought she did not much care for being a mother. I wish she had…”
    Katrina soothed, “Never mind, dearest. From what you wrote, Joan is quite settled in Rome. And although you have lost your dear mama, here you are safe back in England again, and only look, in less than a year you have become the Toast of London, and—”
    â€œBut I do not want to be a Toast! All I ever wanted was to—” She checked again, then, gripping her friend’s hand very tightly said in a sort of desperation, “Oh, Trina, I do so envy you!”
    With a gasp of astonishment, Katrina echoed, “Envy— me ? Good gracious! Why? You are beautiful, admired, sought-after, and most comfortably circumstanced! How many offers have you received this year? A dozen? A score more like! I am ogled by the fortune hunters but few well-born gentlemen would offer more than a slip on the shoulder to a half-caste; the ladies tolerate me only for the sake of dear Papa; and I am—”
    â€œYou are loved, you silly goose! Do you not see? You are loved! For a while I thought—But never have I known … that wonder!”
    Suddenly, there was such grief in the green eyes, such a note of pathos in the halting voice that Katrina was struck to the heart, and said tenderly, “We love you, dearest. August and I, and my father also.”
    Naomi blinked rapidly, and recovering her poise, reached for the jam and said with a rather shaken chuckle, “August thinks I am a scamp, as well you know. And why you or your dear papa should care for me, I cannot think, after the way my father has served you.”
    â€œ You have never been unkind to us. And as for your papa, ’tis true he has become perhaps too grand for us, but he is very proud of you, I feel sure.”
    â€œAs one might be proud of a possession. But I am not his possession, do you see?”
    â€œNo, no! I did not mean that kind of pride! He loves you, of course.”
    Naomi sank her white teeth into the warm scone, then said a rather muffled, “Stuff!”
    â€œNaomi!”
    â€œWell, it is, and you know it. No, be honest, Trina. Were I to expire this afternoon and August carried the word to my sire, he would interrupt his card game long enough to say,” she lowered her voice and growled, “What’s that, Falcon? Begad, but ’tis a pity! Well, make your move, Abel! Don’t take all night, man!”
    Katrina looked, and was, scandalised. Glancing up, Naomi brightened. “Aha! Your grimly guardian makes his entrance, I see.”
    â€œIn time to hear you behaving like any hoyden, as usual,” came a deep voice from behind her, and August Falcon lowered his long length into the third chair.
    â€œAugust, dearest,” she cried gaily, reaching out to him in her impulsive way. “Faith, ’tis lovely to see you!”
    With unfailing grace he touched her fingers to his lips, but said, “Rubbish! I think you cannot find it ‘lovely’ to see a ‘grimly guardian.’”
    She did find it lovely, although at times she would have been hard pressed to explain why, for Falcon was not an easy man to like. Many women found him