r as one of the drollest that she had ever originated,
and she wondered that her companions should respond so languidly.

"I can't see anything very thrilling in surprising the Hickses," Gillow
protested, defrauded of possible excitements; and Strefford added: "It
would surprise me more than them if I went."

But Susy insisted feverishly: "You don't know. It may be awfully
exciting! I have an idea that Coral's announcing her engagement--her
engagement to Nick! Come, give me a hand, Streff--and you the other,
Fred-" she began to hum the first bars of Donna Anna's entrance in Don
Giovanni. "Pity I haven't got a black cloak and a mask...."

"Oh, your face will do," said Strefford, laying his hand on her arm.

She drew back, flushing crimson. Breckenridge and the Prince had sprung
on ahead, and Gillow, lumbering after them, was already halfway up the
stairs.

"My face? My face? What's the matter with my face? Do you know any
reason why I shouldn't go to the Hickses to-night?" Susy broke out in
sudden wrath.

"None whatever; except that if you do it will bore me to death,"
Strefford returned, with serenity.

"Oh, in that case--!"

"No; come on. I hear those fools banging on the door already." He caught
her by the hand, and they started up the stairway. But on the first
landing she paused, twisted her hand out of his, and without a word,
without a conscious thought, dashed down the long flight, across the
great resounding vestibule and out into the darkness of the calle.

Strefford caught up with her, and they stood a moment silent in the
night.

"Susy--what the devil's the matter?"

"The matter? Can't you see? That I'm tired, that I've got a splitting
headache--that you bore me to death, one and all of you!" She turned and
laid a deprecating hand on his arm. "Streffy, old dear, don't mind me:
but for God's sake find a gondola and send me home."

"Alone?"

"Alone."

It was never any concern of Streff's if people wanted to do things he
did not understand, and she knew that she could count on his obedience.
They walked on in silence to the next canal, and he picked up a passing
gondola and put her in it.

"Now go and amuse yourself," she called after him, as the boat shot
under the nearest bridge. Anything, anything, to be alone, away from the
folly and futility that would be all she had left if Nick were to drop
out of her life....

"But perhaps he has dropped already--dropped for good," she thought as
sh