SHE FIRST THOUGHT OF CHANGING THE CLOCK
When Florence returned she explained that her absence had been due to some trifling household affair.
Said the Russian: "I come primarily to ask you to tea to-morrow, where they dance. If you like, you may ask Mr. Norton to go along. I begin to observe that you two are rather fond of each other."
"Oh, Mr. Norton is just a valuable friend," returned Florence with a smile that quite deceived the other woman. "I shall be glad to go to the tea. But I shall not promise to dance."
"Not with Mr. Norton?" archly.
"Reporters never dance themselves; they make others dance instead."
"I shall have to tell that," declared the countess; and she laughed quite honestly.
"Then I have said something witty?"
"Indeed you have; and it is not only witty but truthful. I'm afraid you're deeper than the rest of us have any idea of."