r cheerfully. He was damp and flushed, but much brisker
than Desire had thought. He did not look at all raglike. For the first
time since their homecoming she seemed to see him with clear eyes. And
she found him changed. He was younger. Some of the lines had smoothed
out of his forehead. His face showed its cheekbones less sharply and
his hair dipped charmingly, like an untidy boy's. His shirt was open at
the throat. He did not look like a professor at all. Desire momentarily
experienced what Dr. John had called a "heightening of vibration."

"Anything that I can do," offered he helpfully.

"The best thing will be to stop doing," suggested Desire. "Don't you
know that you're accessory to a reception this afternoon? Of course you
are only the host, but it looks better to have the host unwilted."

"Like the salad? I hadn't thought of that. In fact I'm afraid I haven't
been giving the matter serious attention. I must consult my secretary.
How else should a host look?"

"He should look happy."

Benis noted this on his cuff.

"Yes?"

Desire's eyes began to sparkle.

"If he is a bridegroom, as well as a host, he should be careful to look
often at the bride."

"No chance," said Spence gloomily. "Not with the mob that's coming."

"Above all, he looks after his least attractive lady guests. And he
never on any account slips away for a smoke with a stray gentleman
friend."

The professor's gloom lightened. "Is there going to be a stray
gentleman friend? Did old Bones promise?"

Desire nodded triumphantly.

"First time in captivity," murmured Spence. "How on earth did you
manage it?"

"I simply asked him!"

"As easy as that?"

They both laughed as happy people laugh at merest nonsense.

"Ha! Ha! Ha!" shrieked Yorick. "Go to it, give 'em hell!"

"I don't wonder Aunt Caroline dreads him," said Desire. "His experience
seems to have been lurid."

"Kiss her, you flat-foot, kiss her," shrieked the ribald Yorick.

"Sorry, old man," said Spence regretfully. "It's against the rules to
kiss one's secretary."

Again they both laughed. But was it fancy, or was this laugh a trifle
less spontaneous than the other? "Gracious!" said Desire, suddenly in a
hurry, "I've hardly left myself time to dress."

CHAPTER XXII

It may be said with fairness that the reception given by Miss Campion
for her nephew's bride left Bainbridge thoughtful. They had expected
the bride to be different, and they had found her to be di