toe which hung from a sparkling, old-fashioned
chandelier, and laughingly saluted their cheeks.
“There!” he cried. “For lack of younger
cavaliers, I shall do my duty!”

Amy Lou had succumbed to sleep, though not
without a strong effort to keep awake. The
countess took Betty by the arm and led her to
look at her small sister, peacefully sleeping on
a divan in what Betty called the back parlor.
She was covered with a gay steamer rug and
clasped tightly in her arms a large doll.

“Oh, you gave that to her, Countess Coletti!”
exclaimed Betty, though in a subdued tone.

“Yes. I never can resist a pretty doll, so I
bought one for Amy Lou. She seemed to like
it.”

Smilingly Countess Coletti looked down upon
the pretty, sleeping child. The countess herself
was lovely tonight in a plainly cut black velvet
evening dress. A diamond clasp was her only
ornament in the way of jewels, but she wore a
few crimson roses that became her well. Mrs.
Lee did not wear an evening dress, but Betty
thought that “Mamma” was very pretty in her
“stylish” silk frock. Some other friends had
called up, the countess said, and were coming
over. In a short time the main drawing room
was full of guests and presently a delicious

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