town?"

"Only yesterday! You live in Washington, now, don't you?"

"Yes, off and on. It's my headquarters for refitting and starting
afresh. What do you say to a turn at the _dansant_?"

"I'm ready, I'm sure," she replied. "Afterward we'll--"

"Discuss other matters!" he interjected.

She gave him an amused look, and they passed down the corridor and up
the marble steps to the elevator.

They were dancing the _Maxixe_ when they entered.

"Do you mind if we don't do it on the heels?" said she. "I think it's
prettier the other way."

"So do I," said he, and they drifted down the room.

He knew almost everyone on the floor; the women nodded to him, then
stared coldly at his companion; the men too stared at her--but not
coldly--and when they thought about it, which was seldom of late, nodded
to him, and resumed their staring.

And Harleston did not wonder--indeed, had it been otherwise, it would
have argued a sudden paucity of appreciation on the part of the smart
set there assembled. For this slender young person in black, a small hat
on her head, topping hair of flaming red, an exquisite figure and a