true that you are seriously embarrassed--have lost most of
your fortune?"

"It was to be just one question!" he smiled.

"I'm a woman," she explained.

They danced half the length of the room before he replied. He would
tell her. She, alone, deserved to know--and, if she cared, would
understand.

"I have lost most of my fortune!" he admitted. "I am not, however, in
the least embarrassed--I have no debts."

"And is it 'business,' which keeps you?--will you ever come back to
Northumberland?"

"Yes, it is business that keeps me--important business. Whether or not
I shall return to Northumberland, depends on the outcome of that
business."

"Why did you leave without a word of farewell to your friends?" she
persisted.

"Was that unusual?" said Croyden. "Has any of my friends
cared--sincerely cared? Has any one so much as inquired for me?"

She looked away.

"They thought you were called to Europe, suddenly," she replied.

"For which thinking you were responsible, Elaine."

"Why I?" she demanded.

"You were the only one I told."

Her eyes sought his, then fell.

"It was because of the failure," she said. "You were the largest
creditor--you disappeared--there were queries and rumors--and I thought
it best to tell. I hope I did no harm."

"On the contrary," he said, "I am very, very grateful to know that some
one thought of me."

The music stopped. It was just in time. Another moment, and he might
have said what he knew was folly. Her body close to his, his arm around
her, the splendor of her bared shoulders, the perfume of her hair, the
glory of her face, were overcoming him, were intoxicating his senses,
were drugging him into non-resistance. The spell was broken not an
instant too soon. He shook himself--like a man rousing from dead
sleep--and took her back to their party.

The next instant, as she was whirled away by another, she shot him an
alluringly fascinating smile, of intimate camaraderie, of
understanding, which well-nigh put him to sleep again.

"I would that I might get such a smile," sighed Macloud.

"You go to the devil!" said Croyden. "She has the same smile for all
her friends, so don't be silly."

"And don't be blind!" Macloud laughed.

"Moreover, if it's a different smile, the field is open. I'm scratched,
you know."

"Can a man be scratched _after_ he has won?" asked Macloud.

"More silliness!" Croyden retorted, as he turned away to search for his
partner.

When the Hop wa