CHAPTER FIVE

_In which the double life led by the heroine is explained, and
Augustus McAllister proves an alibi._


"Yes," said Miss Bentley, "I liked him. He turned out to be altogether
different from my first impressions. That afternoon at the Country
Club he seemed rather stiff--nice, assured manners, of course, but
unresponsive. But then the way in which we bounced in upon each other
was enough to break any amount of ice." She laughed at the recollection,
clasping her hands behind her head.

Instead of the little grey hat jammed down anyhow, she wore this morning
the most bewitching and frivolous of boudoir caps upon her bright head,
and a shimmery, lacy empire something, that clung caressingly about her,
and fell back becomingly from her round white arms. Miles and miles away
from the Candy Wagon was Margaret Elizabeth, who had so recently
hobnobbed down the avenue with Uncle Bob.

Mrs. Gerrard Pennington, in a similar garb, leaned an elbow on her desk,
a dainty French trifle, and gazed, perhaps a bit wistfully, at Margaret
Elizabeth's endearing young charms. "I am delighted that you like
Augustus. He is a young man of sterling qualities. His mother and I were
warm friends; I take a deep interest in him. Of course he is not showy;
perhaps he might be called a little slow; but he is substantial, and
while I should be the last to place an undue emphasis upon wealth, one
need not overlook its advantages. Augustus has had unusual
opportunities."