But I adore you, all the same, without illusions." She had opened at one of the tables, unperceivingly, a big volume of which she turned the leaves.

"Don't 'adore' a girl, Mr.Mitchy--just help her.

That's more to the purpose." "Help you ?" he cried.

"You bring tears to my eyes!" "Can't a girl have friends ?" she went on.

"I never heard of anything so idiotic." Giving him, however, no chance to take her up on this, she made a quick transition.