land.

Percival, following him, did not look up at the row of faces.

Careni-Amori sang that evening in the main saloon. Signer Joseppi, tired
and sore after his hard day's work, wept, and after weeping as
publicly as possible created a profound sensation by kissing the great
prima-donna in full view of the applauding spectators. Then, to cap
the climax, he proclaimed in a voice charged with emotion that Madame
Careni-Amori never had sung better in all her life! This to an artist
who had the rare faculty for knowing when she was off the key,--and who
knew that she was very badly off on this particular occasion.

Percival was standing near the door as Ruth Clinton and her aunt left
the saloon on the way to their rooms. He joined them after a moment's
hesitation. The two ladies bowed coldly to him. He was the essence of
decision. As usual, he went straight to the point.

"I can't take back what I did this morning, and I wouldn't if I could,"
he said, falling in beside Mrs. Spofford. "I know you are displeased
with me. Can't we thresh it out now, Mrs. Spofford?"

The elder woman raised her chin and stared at him coldly. He shot a
glance past her at the girl's face. There was no encouragement to be
found in the calm, unsmiling eyes.

"I fail to see precisely why we should thresh anything out with you, Mr.
Percival," replied Mrs. Spofford.

"It is barely possible that you are not quite clear as to my motives,
and therefore unable to gauge my actions."

"I understand your motives perfectly,--and I approve of them. Your
actions are not so acceptable. Good-night, Mr. Percival."

He smiled whimsically at Ruth. "My left hand is rather in need of
attention, Miss Clinton. I suppose I am so deeply in your bad graces
that I may not hope for--er--the same old kindness?"

She stopped short. "Is this a request or a command? Mr. Percival, I will
be quite frank with you. Mr. Landover is our friend. I am not, however,
defending him in the position he has taken. There is no reason why he
should not do his share with the rest of the men. But was it necessary
to humiliate him, was it necessary to insult him as you did this
morning? He is a distinguished man. He--"

"Are you coming, Ruth?" demanded Mrs. Spofford, sharply.

"In just a moment, Aunt Julia."

"You will oblige me by coming with me at once. We have nothing more to
say to this young man."

"I have asked him a question. I shall wait for his answer."

"I will answer