Patty, with her captain in tow, went up to the trio, and all joined in merry chatter.  Then soon, with a gay, challenging glance at him, Patty said: 

“Now Captain Sayre, you have the opportunity you wanted, to ask Miss Galbraith to go with you to the fortune teller’s tent.”

For a brief instant the young man looked dumfounded, but immediately recovering himself, he turned to Mona and said, gracefully: 

“Miss Fairfield has told you of the secret hope I cherish; will you grant it, Miss Galbraith?”

Mona, flattered, and a little flustered at this attention, consented, and the two walked away together.

Jack Pennington gave Patty an understanding glance, but Lora Sayre said, “How funny for Edgar to do that!” Then realising the impolite implication, she added, “He’s so infatuated with you, Patty.  I’m surprised to see him leave you.”

“Soldier men are very fickle,” said Patty, assuming a mock woe-begone expression; “but your cousin is a most interesting man, Lora.”

“Yes, indeed; Edgar is splendid.  He has lived in the Philippines and other queer places, and he tells such funny stories.  He is most entertaining.  But I see mother beckoning to me; I must go and see what she wants.”

Lora ran away, and Jack Pennington remained with Patty.

“You’re a brick!” he exclaimed; “to dispose of that marvellous military model, just so you could play with me!”

“That wasn’t my only motive,” said Patty, gazing after the captain and Mona—­as they stood at the door of the fortune teller’s tent.  “He is such a charming man, I wanted to share him with my friend.”

“H’m—­you say that to tease me, I suppose.  But I remember, before he arrived on the scene, you thought me such a charming man that you wanted to share me with your friend.”

“Oh, yes,” agreed Patty, lightly, “and you promised that you’d be shared.  So don’t forget it!”

“As if I’d ever forget anything you say to me!  By the way, Mona says she’s going to have a house party.  What do you s’pose it’ll be like?”

“I s’pose it’ll be lovely.  She hasn’t talked to me about it yet, for we really haven’t had time.  The new chaperon came to-day.”

“Is she a veritable Dragon?  Won’t she let you girls do anything?”

Patty laughed.  “I don’t think dragon exactly describes her.  And she hasn’t denied us anything as yet.  But then, she only came this morning.”

“I shall call soon, and make friends with her.  I’m always liked by chaperons.”

“Yes, Mrs. Hastings, for example,” said Patty, laughing at the recollection of the night before.

“Oh, all chaperons look alike to me,” said Jack.  “Now, let’s go over and hear the band play.”

Across the garden, a fine orchestra was making music, and Patty hummed in tune, as they strolled over the lawns.  As they neared a group of young people who were eagerly chatting, Guy Martin called out, “Come on, you two, you’re just the ones we want.”