New York."...

The night was not to pass, however, without its own especial thrill for
Tavernake. The two men dined together at Delmonico's and went afterwards
to a roof garden, a new form of entertainment for Tavernake, and one
which interested him vastly. They secured one of the outside tables
near the parapets, and below them New York stretched, a flaming
phantasmagoria of lights and crude buildings. Down the broad avenues
with their towering blocks, their street cars striking fire all the time
like toys below, the people streamed like insects away to the Hudson,
where the great ferry boats, ablaze with lights, went screaming across
the dark waters. Tavernake leaned over and forgot. There was so much
that was amazing in this marvelous city for a man who had only just
begun to find himself.

The orchestra, stationed within a few yards of him, commenced to play
a popular waltz, and Pritchard to talk. Tavernake turned his fascinated
eyes from the prospect below.

"My young friend," Pritchard said, "you are up against it to-night. Take
a drink of your wine and then brace yourself."

Tavernake did as he was told.

"What is this danger?" he asked. "What's wrong, anyway?"

Pritchard had no need to answer. As Tavernake set his glass down, his
eyes fell upon the little party who had just taken the table almost next
to theirs. There were Walter Crease, Major Post, two men whom he had
never seen before in his life--heavy of cheek, both, dull-eyed, but
dressed with a rigid observance of the fashion of the city, in short
dinner coats and black ties. And between them was Elizabeth. Tavernake
gripped the sides of his chair and looked. Yes, she had altered. Her
eyebrows were a trifle made up, there was a tinge in her hair which he
did not recognize, a touch of color in her cheeks which he doubted. Yet
her figure and her wonderful presence remained, that art of wearing
her clothes as no other woman could. She was easily the most
noticeable-looking of her sex among all the people there. Tavernake
heard the sound of her voice and once more the thrill came and passed.
She was the same Elizabeth. Thank God, he thought, that he was not the
same Tavernake!

"Do you wish to go?" Pritchard asked.

Tavernake shook his head.

"Not I!" he answered. "This place is far too fascinating. Can't we have
some more wine? This is my treat. And, Pritchard, why do you look at
me like that? You are not supposing for a moment that I am capable of