"Of course I do."

"Then I'll tell them, if you don't mind."

"Tell away," said this Italian-American girl with a laugh.

So here were both Carolyn and Kathryn in the car with Peggy and another of the sorority girls. There was plenty of room for them to keep their fluffy dresses from being mussed and with great antic.i.p.ations they arrived at the large place which Lucia now called home.

Mr. Murchison was a widower of some two years' standing. This accounted for the fact that the recent visit had been the first that Mrs. Lee had made there. There was no entertaining done until his sister, the countess, came home. Mr. Murchison had explained the situation to Mr.

Lee early in their acquaintance and entertained Mr. Lee and other men friends at his club down town. There was an old, old grandmother, Betty had heard, but Lucia never talked about the household and Betty, of course, never inquired.

There were no cla.s.s or sorority decorations here. The great rooms, of an old-fashioned type with their high ceilings, heavy woodwork, dark and carved, were fragrant with the odor of roses, which were Lucia's favorite flowers. The walls bore some fine originals from the brush of famous artists and Betty felt that she would like to wander through the rooms just to look at them.

But human relations were more interesting yet. The countess did wear her tiara. Perhaps Lucia had suggested that the girls would like it. At any rate here was near-royalty with its jewels. Lucia was in pink, very becoming to her style, and wore pink corals, necklace and bracelets. But Lucia, in the language of society, was a sub-deb and must not be too gorgeous yet.

Handsome books were in the library. Vases, tapestry, and rugs, exquisite ornaments, not in too great a profusion, indicated the wealth and taste that had collected them. Poor Mr. Murchison, thought Betty, to think he had to lose the wife that helped him make this home. But there again, Betty was mistaken, for it was the Murchison wealth and taste, including that of the Countess Coletti, that had made the old home what it was.

Mr. Murchison received with the Countess and Lucia. Betty had thought that possibly the sorority president would be asked to receive with Lucia. But no, it was merely the family, distinguished enough to be sure. Mr. Murchison had not forgotten Betty and met her with a kindly grace. "You are particularly welcome, Miss Lee," said he. "I have not forgotten how you and your father looked after Lucia and my sister for me."

The first comers were a bit overwhelmed with the elegance of everything, but the countess was cordial and easy and as the rooms filled up with familiar faces, the general stiffness disappeared. Ted Dorrance was there and a number of juniors, Marcella, of course, and her friends of both junior and senior cla.s.ses. Some older boys Betty did not know at all, as well as girls, airy and a.s.sured, that Betty thought must be from the private schools of which Lucia had spoken. But they were pretty and clever and with charming manners. Betty was glad to meet some of them.

Mathilde was in her element, so far as her feelings was concerned, Betty saw; but she felt sorry for her, for she was so evidently not of the elect, so far as those other girls were concerned.

Chet and the boys that she knew came around, with Carolyn, Kathryn and the other girls. Lucia mingled with them all and the countess did not retire, as mothers have some times been known to do. Even Mr. Murchison stayed until games and some dancing were started. Then he disappeared.

And Lucia, too, had an orchestra to discourse sweet music, either for dancing or games or, later, for supper. But who should be her partner for a funny game of which Betty had never heard before, but Marcella's brother, the Pirate of Penzance!

"I believe, I'm quite sure, indeed, that this is the fair t.i.tania," said he, as Marcella introduced him to Betty and told him that he was supposed to be Betty's partner "for these games," said Marcella.

"Do you know how to play this?" asked Lawrence Waite.

"No, I don't," replied Betty, as Marcella left them.

"Then come on," said Lawrence. "I know a secluded and not too secluded spot. Let's talk. They'll let me do it because I'm not in school with the rest of you, and already I know Lucia very well."

Lawrence Waite, known as Larry, explained to Betty, as he escorted her to just such a spot as she had read about in the grown-up books. Well, what of it? Wasn't she past sixteen? Why should she not have a handsome young man seating her in the conservatory by a fountain? It turned out to be some sort of a treasure hunt; but when Ted rushed by and called, "Come on, Larry, get into the game after treasure," Larry waved a careless hand and said, "I've found her."

Ted laughed, appreciating the point and Betty naturally dimpled with amus.e.m.e.nt, but Larry turned to her again, smiling, but not altogether in fun. "Really, Miss Lee, I have wanted to meet you since that Hallowe'en at our house."

"It has been sometime, Mr. Waite," suggested Betty demurely.

"Yes, but I've been away at college except at the Christmas vacation.

I'm home on a rush trip now. Father wanted me to come, a business matter in which I could help him. I wanted to ask you if you minded that little affair. I was around looking for things for Marcella, and I took a chance of frightening you, I know, when I lit that candle; but I had recognized you, that is, as t.i.tania, and I had to make a train and wanted to see what you really looked like. You were very good to take off your mask."

"It was just great fun, Mr. Waite. I should think I didn't mind! It would have been very stupid just to have your candle go out and not to have a single thing happen, not even to look into the mirror."

Larry had half a mind to mention one more thing that he had been tempted to have happen when he saw Betty's face under that shining hair, but he decided that it was not best. She might think it just his line, and she was too sweet anyhow and too young for any suggestion of a stolen kiss.

Pray heaven she went through high school and college as above anything doubtful as she was now! Larry had asked his sister what sort of a girl Betty Lee was, for Larry Waite was really interested.

"It was fun for both of us, then. I told at college that I had looked over a girl's shoulder in a mirror at Hallowe'en and the fellows said, 'Beware, Larry.'"

"I'm not a bit dangerous," laughed Betty, though pleased. Betty was modern enough not to be entirely unsophisticated and she did think that this was what the girls called his "line." But it was a jolly one, anyhow. She could safely have a good time with Marcella's brother. He reminded her how as t.i.tania and the Pirate of Penzance they had tripped "the light fantastic" together and now, as her especial cavalier through the games and at supper, he really took her some distance on the path of pleasant acquaintance.

There was no more on the personal line but they were as one on athletics and many other features of school life. Betty was fascinated at his tales of college life and thought it must be great fun to be away at school. Larry was quite popular with all the girls, Betty saw, and she wondered how Marcella had happened to a.s.sign him to her for the supper, for Betty was too modest still to guess that he had made the arrangement with Marcella, who was planning the arrangements with Lucia and the countess.

If any one had expected any Italian dishes at supper she was doomed to disappointment. Perhaps the countess was as glad to return to American food and cooking as are many travelers. At any rate it was the customary late evening supper, dainty and appetizing. Lights, conversation, gay dresses, young faces, much laughter--Betty never _would_ forget it she declared to Doris the next morning as she described it in detail to her sister.

"Everybody and everything were lovely, Dorry. I wish you could have been with me. And the Countess Coletti is a peach!" with which conclusion Betty hopped out of bed and began to dress.

"Isn't it a pity," sighed Doris, "that life can't be parties all the time? And think of it, Betty; school is almost out and next year you'll be a junior!"

"That is so," thoughtfully replied Betty, but she was thinking just then of the "Pirate of Penzance."