eclared. "At
least, not like our American ideas of one."

She laughed outright.

"Bring your chair quite close to mine," she ordered, "I really want to
talk to you."

He obeyed, and affected to be absorbed in the contemplation of the
rings on the hand which a great artist had called the most beautiful in
England. She withdrew it a little peevishly, after a moment's pause.

"I want to talk about the Barringtons," she said. "Do you know that they
are practically ruined?"

"I heard that Barrington had been gambling on the Stock Exchange the
last few days," he answered.

"He has lost a great deal of money," she answered, "and they were almost
on their last legs before. Are you going to set them straight again?"

"No idea," he answered. "I haven't been asked, for one thing."

"Ruth will ask you, of course," the Marchioness said impatiently. "I
expect that she is waiting at your flat by now. I want to know whether
you are going to do it."

The hand was again very close to his. Again Wingrave contemplated the
rings.

"I forgot that you were her friend, and are naturally anxious," he
remarked.

"I am not her friend," the Marchioness answered, "and--I do not wish you
to help them."

Wingrave was silent. The hand was insistent, and he held it for a moment
lightly, and then let it go.

"Well, I don't know," he said doubtfully. "The Barringtons have been
very hospitable to me."

"Rubbish!" the Marchioness answered. "You have done quite enough for
them already. Of course, you are a man--and you must choose. I am sure
that you understand me."

He rose to his feet.

"I must think this out," he said. "The Barringtons have a sort of claim
on me. I will let you know which way I decide."

She stood close to him, and her hand fell upon his shoulder.

"You are not going!" she exclaimed. "I have told them that I am at home
to no one, and I thought that you would stay and entertain me. Sit down
again, Wingrave!"

"Sorry," he answered, "I have a lot to do this afternoon. I came
directly I had your note; but I have had to keep some other people
waiting."

"You are going to see Lady Ruth!"

"Not that I know of," he declared. "I have heard nothing from her. By
the bye, I lost some money to you at bridge the other evening. How much
was it? Do you remember?"

She looked at him for a second, and turned away.

"Do you really want to know?" she asked.

"If you please. Put the amount down on a piece of paper, and then