Philip, we're dining early, so please make your arrangements to conform.

Come, Eileen; have you never before seen Philip Selwyn ?" "I am not sure that I ever have," she replied, with a curious little smile at Selwyn.

Nina had her by the hand, but she dragged back like a mischievously reluctant child hustled bedward: "Good-bye," she said, stretching out her hand to Selwyn--"good-bye, my unfortunate fellow fogy! I go, slumpy, besmudged, but happy; I return, superficially immaculate--but my stockings will still be blue!.

.

.
Nina, dear, if you don't stop dragging me I'll pick you up in my arms!--indeed I will--" There was a laugh, a smothered cry of protest; and Selwyn was the amused spectator of his sister suddenly seized and lifted into a pair of vigorous young arms, and carried into the house by this tall, laughing girl who, an hour before, had lain there among the cushions, frightened, unconvinced, clinging instinctively to the last gay rags and tatters of the childhood which she feared were to be stripped from her for ever.
It was clear starlight when they were ready to depart.