She wore a white velvet "princesse" gown of a fashion which was a shade
less than what is called "daring," with a rope of pearls falling from
her neck and a diamond star in her dark hair. Standing with one arm
uplifted to the curtains, and with the mellow glow of candles and
firelight behind her, she was so lovely that both Mellin and Cooley
stood breathlessly still until she changed her attitude. This she did
only to move toward them, extending a hand to each, letting Cooley seize
the right and Mellin the left.

Each of them was pleased with what he got, particularly Mellin. "The
left is nearer the heart," he thought.

She led them through the curtains, not withdrawing her hands until they
entered the salon. She might have led them out of her fifth-story window
in that fashion, had she chosen.

"My two wicked boys!" she laughed tenderly. This also pleased both of
them, though each would have preferred to be her only wicked boy--a
preference which, perhaps, had something to do with the later events of
the evening.

"Aha! I know you both; before twenty minute' you will be makin' love to
Lady Mount-Rhyswicke. Behol' those two already! An' they are only ole
frien's."

She pointed to Pedlow and Sneyd. The fat man was shouting at a woman in
pink satin, who lounged, half-reclining, among a pile of cushions upon a
divan near the fire; Sneyd gallantly bending over her to kiss her hand.

"It is a very little dinner, you see," continued the hostess, "only