'No, damn you!'

Dick's good nature was imperturbable, and he was not in the least
annoyed by Alec's vivacity.

'My dear chap, do calm down,' he laughed.

Alec started at the sound of his mocking. He seemed again to become
aware of himself. It was interesting to observe the quite visible effort
he made to regain his self-control. In a moment he had mastered his
excitement, and he turned to Dick with studied nonchalance.

'Do you think I look wildly excited?' he asked blandly.

Dick smiled.

'If you will permit me to say so, I think butter would have _no_
difficulty in melting in your mouth,' he replied.

'I never felt cooler in my life.'

'Lucky man, with the thermometer at a hundred and two!'

Alec laughed and put his arm through Dick's.

'Perhaps we had better go home,' he said.

'Your common sense is no less remarkable than your personal appearance,'
answered Dick gravely.

They had already bidden their hostess good-night, and getting their
things, they set out to walk their different ways. When Dick got home he
did not go to bed. He sat in an armchair, considering the events of the
evening, and trying to find some way out of the complexity of his
thoughts. He was surprised when the morning sun sent a bright ray of
light into his room.

* * *

But Lady Kelsey was not yet at the end of her troubles. Bobbie, having
got rid of his friends, went to her and asked if she would not come
downstairs and drink a cup of soup. The poor lady, quite exhausted,
thought him very considerate. One or two persons, with their coats on,
were still in the room, waiting for their womenkind; and in the hall
there was a little group of belated guests huddled around the door,
while cabs and carriages were being brought up for them. There was about
everyone the lassitude which follows the gaiety of a dance. The waiters
behind the tables were heavy-eyed. Lucy was bidding good-bye to one or
two more intimate friends.

Lady Kelsey drank the hot soup with relief.

'My poor legs are dropping,' she said. 'I'm sure I'm far too tired to go
to sleep.'

'I want to talk to Lucy before I go,' said Bobbie, abruptly.

'To-night?' she asked in dismay.

'Yes, I want you to send her a message that you wish to see her in your
_boudoir_.'

'Why, what on earth's the matter?'

'She can't go on in this way. It's perfectly monstrous. Something must
be done immediately.'

Lady Kelsey understood what he was driving at. She knew how great