ur teeth. Of course it is hard for a young
girl to fight a woman," Millar went on. "You don't possess so many
weapons as a married woman who knows love already--who--may I say
something improper?"

"Please do," she said, her sauciness returning as she held her hands
before her eyes and looked at him through her fingers.

"A woman who knows all about love that you have yet to learn."

"I understand," she said.

"But don't mind that; listen. There is not much sentiment in me, but I
am a man, and I tell you, little girl, you possess the weapon that will
deal the death blow to the most attractive, the most experienced woman
in the world. That weapon is purity."

"Should I listen to all this?" Elsa asked.

"You should not," Millar replied promptly; "but listen just the same. It
may help you. And now, go dance with Karl. You must conquer. But don't
try to be a woman; be a girl. Don't try to be saucy."

"I don't care to be saucy, but it is so original," Elsa said contritely.

"Don't try to be original," Millar said earnestly. "Be yourself. Be
modest. Be ashamed of your pure white shoulders. Look at Karl as if you
feared he is trying to steal you away from girlhood land and show you
the way to woman's land. And if any one ever dares to call you saucy
again, tell him you once met a gentleman to whom you wanted to give a
piece of your mind and that you left him with a piece of his mind,
feeling very small indeed yourself, and making him feel as if he were
the biggest rascal in the world."

Elsa turned and went toward the other room, meeting Karl at the door as
Millar withdrew behind a curtain of palms.

CHAPTER IX

Millar had played with devilish ingenuity on the tender susceptibilities
of Elsa. He encouraged her in her love for Karl and her determination to
win him, evidently with the deliberate purpose that she should repel the
boy whose will he had determined to subordinate to his own. He watched
as a cat watches its prey the meeting between Karl and Elsa after he
withdrew quietly into the sheltering recess behind the palms.

Karl had been searching for her and stopped, barring her way into the
ballroom.

"So here you are at last, Miss Elsa," he exclaimed.

"Yes," Elsa replied, dropping her eyes demurely.

"Why are you not in the ballroom?"

"I wanted to be alone. If any one really wanted me he could find me."

Her dejection surprised Karl.

"You seem sad. Are you worried?"

"No."

"Then what