n a moment all the winking
length of the gallery was throbbing with ragtime.

Mrs. Pleydell and Anthony trod the measure with a will.

When it was over, she led him to a tall window with a deep-cushioned
seat.

"You were out," she said, "when I came the other day. To make up for
it, you must come to White Ladies. It's a pretty walk, and we'll take
you back in the car."

"You're very kind," said Anthony.

"If you talk like that," said Daphne, "I shall invite you for the
week-end. And now would you like to talk shop, or shall I tell you
about my new dress?"

Anthony hesitated, and the girl laughed merrily.

"I'm a past-mistress of blackmail," she said. "My husband taught me."

Anthony joined in her merriment before clearing his throat.

"My first place," he said, "was in Lancaster Gate."

"I know," said Daphne eagerly. "North of the Park. Go on."

Before they parted, they had danced two more dances together.

Then he spent a quarter of an hour with Betty and another like period
with Anne. After that, before he could get to Valerie, he was handed
to a little fair damsel, all big grey eyes and masses of golden hair.

"Major Lyveden--Miss Mansel."

"Isn't Daphne nice?" said that lady. "I saw you dancing with her.
She's my cousin."

"I envy you both," said Anthony.

Jill Mansel stared at him gravely.

"That's very nice of you. Yes, I'd love to dance this. Look. There's
Adele. Isn't she lovely? I think she's like a flower. She's going to
marry my cousin. She's an American without an accent. You are tall,
aren't you? You're all tall here to-night, except me. It makes me
feel a dwarf."

"And us, ogres," said Anthony.

Jill laughed delightedly.

"You are nice," she said. "Valerie said you were. Look at Berry
dancing with Daphne, and pretending he's bored stiff. When are you
coming to White Ladies?"

She prattled on contentedly, asking questions innumerable, but
requiring no answers.

Lyveden enjoyed himself.

After they had sat out a little, Valerie came towards them with the man
called Jonah.

"Since you won't ask me," she said to Anthony, "I must throw myself at
your head." She turned, smiling, to Jill. "Jonah is bored with me,
dear, so I'm going to heap coals of fire on his head and restore him to
his little sister." She returned to Anthony. "Now, then." Thus
addressed, he offered her his arm soberly enough. "There's some
supper, I know, downstairs, because I ordered