e waiters. If you dropped through the ceiling, you could
hardly tell whether you were in the Ritz, the Plaza, the Manhattan, or
the Knickerbocker. You would know it was New York--that's all."

"What train do you take to-night, or shall you stay over?"

"I shall go on the 11:50, if you'll play with me until then."

He smiled at her affectation.

"Suppose we try another kind of crowd to-night, and dine at the
Lafayette."

"Delighted! I've never been there."

"It's jolly. You'll like it, I think."

"Where is it?"

"Way downtown--University Place. What shall we do between now and
dinner-time?"

"Let's walk down."

"Oh, that's a long walk."

"But I love to walk, unless it is too much for you."

"Sheer impudence!"

The walk was one never to be forgotten by Strong. To have Bambi all to
himself, to look forward to hours of such bliss, to have her swinging
along beside him, laughing and chattering, now and again laying her hand
on his arm in confident friendliness--it was intoxicating.

By sheer force of will he kept his hand on the throttle of his emotions.
One look, one false move, would ruin it all. He knew, without any doubts
that she did not love him. He even told himself she loved Jocelyn. He
knew that he must make himself a valuable friend and not an undesired
lover, but his want of her was great, and his fury at Jarvis's
indifference white hot. She caught his set look.

"Richard!"

He turned his eyes on her.

"You're tired of me. I won't talk any more."

He drew her hand through his arm, and held her there.

"Don't say that sort of thing, please; it isn't fair."

"Take it back."

The Lafayette filled her with excitement. They had a table on a raised
balcony overlooking the main dining-room. Richard pointed out
celebrities, bowed to many friends, talked charming personalities. A
feast of Lucullus was served them. Music and wine and excitement
bewitched Bambi. She sparkled and laughed. She capped his every sally
with a quick retort. She was totally different from the girl-boy who had
walked downtown beside him.

"What are you thinking about me?" she challenged him, her head tipped
back provokingly.

"Daughter of Joy!"

"I have spent a very pleasant fortnight with you, Richard!"

"Has it seemed that long?"

"Since I left Sunnyside this morning? Quite."

"How many personalities have you been since then?"

"Oh, not nearly all my mes."

"Protean artist?"

"Headliner," she nodded.

Th