iron of a place simply in order not to let us be dull on our first evening here. It seemed to her quite natural. And she has put a motor-car at my disposal. I like that sort of thing.'
Bertie thought a moment.
' I know,' he said. ' But though it sounds horrid to say it, a motor-car doesn't mean anything to Mrs. Palmer.'
' It means the kindliness of thinking of it,' said Sybil. ' It was the same kindliness which brought her up from Long Island. Would you and I, if we were in the country, come up to town to entertain someone who was going to stay with us next day? You know we shouldn't.'
' That is true,' said he. ' Is Mrs. Palmer alone here?'
' Yes. Her husband and daughter are both down in Long Island. She is making a sort of rival Newport, you know. You and I plunge into it all to-morrow. I think I am rather frightened, but I am not sure. No, I don't think I am frightened. I am merely trembling with determination to enjoy it all immensely.'
' Trembling?' he asked.
' Yes; just as when you hold something as tight as you can your hand trembles. You must go and dress—at least, I must. Bertie, I am going to be very English. I think they will like it best.'
' Oh, don't pose! You are never so nice when you pose.'
' I'm not going to pose. I am going to be absolutely natural.'
' That is the most difficult pose of all,' said he.
About halfway up Fifth Avenue the two rival restaurants, Sherry's and Delmonico's, glare at each other from opposite sides of the street, each with its row of attendant hansoms and motor-cars. Though New York was technically empty—that is to say, of its millions a few hundred
