't
they good enough for you? I don't say they're particularly exciting;
but, hang it! I like to ask them here--I like to give people pleasure."

"I didn't mean to be dull," said Isabel.

"Well, you must learn to make an effort. Don't treat people as if they
weren't in the room just because they don't happen to amuse you. Do you
know what they'll think? They'll think it's because you've got a bigger
house and more money than they have. Shall I tell you something? My
mother said she'd noticed the same thing in you lately. She said she
sometimes felt you looked down on her for living in a small house. Oh,
she was half joking, of course; but you see you do give people that
impression. I can't understand treating any one in that way. The more I
have myself, the more I want to make other people happy."

Isabel gently freed herself and laid the work-bag on her
embroidery-frame. "I have a headache; perhaps that made me stupid. I'm
going to bed." She turned toward Wrayford and held out her hand. "Good
night."

"Good night," he answered, opening the door for her.

When he turned back into the room, his host was pouring himself a third
glass of brandy and soda.

"Here, have a nip, Austin? Gad, I need it badly, after the shaking up
you gave me this afternoon." Stilling laughed and carried his glass to
the hearth, where he took up his usual commanding position. "Why the
deuce don't you drink something? You look as glum as Isabel. One would
think you were the chap that had been hit by this business."

Wrayford threw himself into the chair from which Mrs. Stilling had
lately risen. It was the one she usually sat in, and to his fancy
a faint scent of her clung to it. He leaned back and looked up at
Stilling.

"Want a cigar?" the latter continued. "Shall we go into the den and
smoke?"

Wrayford hesitated. "If there's anything more you want to ask me
about--"

"Gad, no! I had full measure and running over this afternoon. The deuce
of it is, I don't see where the money's all gone to. Luckily I've got
plenty of nerve; I'm not the kind of man to sit down and snivel because
I've been touched in Wall Street."

Wrayford got to his feet again. "Then, if you don't want me, I think
I'll go up to my room and put some finishing touches to a brief before I
turn in. I must get back to town to-morrow afternoon."

"All right, then." Stilling set down his empty glass, and held out his
hand with a tinge of alacrity. "Good night, old man."