arguments are not required," laughed
Grace.

"Postponed, merely postponed," assured Hippy, and devoted himself
assiduously to his dessert, refusing to be beguiled into further
conversation.

Dinner over, the entire party repaired once more to the drawing room,
where the young people performed for the judge's especial benefit the
stunts for which they were already famous.

Much to Grace's annoyance, Henry Hammond attached himself to her, and
try as she might she could not entirely rid herself of his attentions
without absolute rudeness. Tom Gray looked a trifle surprised at this,
and Marian Barber seemed openly displeased. Grace felt thoroughly out of
patience, when toward the close of the evening, he approached her as she
stood looking at a Japanese curio, and said:

"I wish to thank you, Miss Harlowe, for inviting me to become a member
of this house party. I appreciate your invitation more than I can say."

"I hope you will enjoy yourself, Mr. Hammond," replied Grace rather
coldly.

"There is little doubt of that," was the ready answer. "How well Marian
is looking to-night. I am surprised at the difference a really grown-up
gown makes in her."

Grace glanced at Marian, who in her eyes looked anything but well.

"Mr. Hammond," she said slowly, looking straight at him. "I do not in
the least agree with you. Marian is not yet eighteen, and to-night she
looks like anything but the school-girl that she did this afternoon. If
her mother were at home I am sure that she would never allow Marian to
have such a gown made, and I cannot fully understand what mischievous
influence prompted her to make herself appear so utterly ridiculous
to-night."

"Miss Harlowe," said the young man, his face darkening ominously, "your
tone is decidedly offensive. Do I understand you to insinuate that I
have in any way influenced Miss Barber as to her manner of dress?"

"I insinuate nothing," replied Grace, rather contemptuously. "If the
coat fits you wear it."

"Miss Harlowe," answered the young man almost savagely, "I cannot
understand why, after having included me in this house party, you
deliberately insult me; but I advise you to be more careful in the
future as to your remarks or I shall be tempted to forget the courtesy
due a young woman, and repay you in your own coin."

"Mr. Hammond," replied Grace with cold scorn, "I acknowledge that my
last remark to you was exceedingly rude, but nothing can palliate the
offense of your