Patty was a great favourite with the aristocratic old lady, and was frequently asked to the Van Reypen home.  It is needless to say that Mrs. Van Reypen’s nephew, Philip, usually managed to be present at any of his aunt’s affairs that were graced by Patty’s presence.  And, indeed, it was an open secret that Mrs. Van Reypen would be greatly pleased if Patty would smile on the suit of her favourite and beloved nephew.

But Patty’s smiles were uncertain.  Sometimes it would suit her caprice to smile on Philip, and again she would positively snub him to such an extent that the young man was disgruntled for days at a time.

“But,” as Patty remarked to herself, “if I’m nice to him, he takes too much for granted.  So I have to discipline him to keep him where he belongs.”

The dinner at the Van Reypen mansion was, as always, long and elaborate, and perhaps a trifle dull.

Mrs. Van Reypen’s affection for Patty was of a selfish sort, and it never occurred to her to invite guests of Patty’s age, or who could be entertaining to the girl.

And so to-night the other guests were an elderly couple by the name of Bellamy and a rather stupid, middle-aged bachelor,—­Mr. Crosby.  These with the two Van Reypens and Patty made up the whole party.

Patty found herself assigned to walk out to dinner with Mr. Crosby, but, as Philip sat on her other side, she had no fear of being too greatly bored.

But to her surprise the elderly bachelor turned out to be exceedingly interesting.  He had travelled a great deal, and talked well about his experiences, and it was soon discovered that he and Patty had mutual friends in Paris, where Patty had spent the winter several years before.

“I do love to hear you talk,” Patty declared, ingenuously, after Mr. Crosby had given her a thrilling and picturesque description of an incident in his trip to the Orient.

“Oh, thank you,” Mr. Crosby returned, a little bewildered by this outright compliment, for he was unaccustomed to talking to young girls.

“But, you see,” Patty went on, “I mustn’t monopolise you.  You know, it’s etiquette to talk fifteen minutes to your neighbour on one side and then turn to your neighbour on the other.”

“Bless my soul! you’re quite right,—­quite right!” and Mr. Crosby stared at Patty over his glasses.  “How do you know so much, and you such a young thing?”

“Oh, I’m out,” returned Patty, smiling, “and of course, when a girl comes out, she has to learn the rules of the game.”

So Mr. Crosby turned to talk to the lady on his other side, and Patty turned to Philip, who looked a trifle sulky.

“Thought you were going to talk to that chap all evening,” he growled, under his breath.

“I should like to,” said Patty, sweetly, “he’s so interesting.  But I can’t monopolise him, you know.  As I don’t want to talk to a growly bear, I think, if you’ll excuse me from polite conversation, I’ll meditate for awhile.”