had not yet lost his head under any of her flatteries. He was secretly
irritated against Mr. Farnum for letting him off so easily. So Jack
swiftly determined upon his own plan of evening matters.

"The way the affair has turned out, Mademoiselle, I shall be delighted
to go in your cars. Yet I am going to ask one every great favor."

"A thousand, if you wish!" cried the young woman spy, graciously.

"Will you permit me to invite my chum, Mr. Hastings?"

"Assuredly," she replied, with a very pretty pout, "if you feel that you
will find my company, alone, too dull."

"It isn't that," Jack replied, with ready gallantry. "I am anxious to
have Hastings share my rare good fortune."

Then raising his voice he called:

"Hal, Mlle. Nadiboff desires me to invite you to come, too."

Young Hastings was quick-witted enough to understand that this was all
but a command from his chum. So he hastily left Mr. Farnum, stepping
over to join the other party. Mlle. Nadiboff's little booted right foot
tapped the flooring of the veranda impatiently, but that was the only
sign of displeasure she gave. Her eyes were as laughing and as
gracious as ever. She extended her hand to Hal, who bowed low over it
in knightly style--a trick he had caught from his observation of naval
officers.