“I won’t tell,” was the fervent reply.  “I swear I won’t tell!  It shall be our secret,—­yours and mine.  Our sweet secret, and we’ll have another some day.”

“What!”

“Another secret, I mean.  What did you think I meant?  Any one is liable to have a secret,—­any two, I mean.  And we might chance to be the two.”

“You’re too big to talk such nonsense,” and Patty ran a scornful eye over the six feet three of broad and weighty masculinity.

“Oh, I know how big I am.  Please don’t rub that in!  I’ve heard it ever since I was out of dresses.  Can’t you flatter me by pretending I’m small?”

“I could make you feel small, if I told you what I really thought of you.”

“Well, do that, then.  What do you think of me?”

“I think you very rude and—­”

“You don’t think any such thing,—­because you know I mistook you for Mona, and it’s not rude to kiss one’s cousin.”

“Is she your cousin?  She never told me so.”

“Well, her grandfather’s stepdaughter’s sister-in-law married my grandmother’s second cousin twice removed.”

“Oh, then you’re not very nearly related.”

“No; that’s why we don’t look more alike.  But, do you know my name?  Or shall I introduce myself?”

“I fancy you’re Big Bill Farnsworth, aren’t you?”

“Yes,—­but don’t call me big, please!”

“No, I’ll call you Little Billee.  How’s that?”

“That’s lovely!  Now, what may I call you?”

“Miss Fairfield.”

The big man made an easy and graceful bow.  “I am delighted to meet you, Miss Fair—­Fair, with golden hair.  Pardon me, I’ve a terrible memory for names, but a good reserve fund of poetry.”

“Miss Fairfield, my name is.  Pray don’t forget it again.”

“If you’re so curt, I shall think it’s a Fairfield and no favour!  You’re not mad at me, are you?”

“Certainly not.  One can’t get mad at an utter stranger.”

“Oh, I don’t think people who kiss people can be classed as utter strangers.”

“Well, you will be, if you refer to that mistake again!  Now, remember, I forbid you ever to mention it,—­to me, or to any one else.  Here comes Mona.”

Mona and Daisy Dow appeared in the doorway, and seeing Bill, made a dash at him.  The young man kissed Mona heartily, and as he did so, he smiled at Patty over Mona’s shoulder.  He shook hands with Daisy, and soon the three were chatting gaily of old school days.

Then Roger Farrington came.  Not all of Patty’s New York friends had liked Mona, but Roger had always declared the girl was a fine nature, spoiled by opulent surroundings.  He had gladly accepted the invitation to the house party, and came in anticipation of an all-round good time.

“Hooray!  Patty!  Here’s me!” was his salutation, as he ran up the steps.