puffed his cigar and let his eyes rest dreamily upon the face of Helene.
He was quite undisturbed by an argument, more a commotion than a debate,
between Mr. Pedlow and young Cooley. It ended by their rising, the
latter overturning a chair in his haste.

"I don't know the rudiments, don't I!" cried the boy. "You wait! Ole
Sneydie and I'll trim you down! Corni says he'll play, too. Come on,
Mellin."

"I won't go unless Helene goes," said Mellin. "What are you going to do
when you get there?"

"Alas, my frien'!" exclaimed Madame de Vaurigard, rising, "is it not
what I tol' you? Always you are never content wizout your play. You come
to dinner an' when it is finish' you play, play, play!"

"_Play_?" He sprang to his feet. "Bravo! That's the very thing I've been
wanting to do. I knew there was something I wanted to do, but I couldn't
think what it was."

Lady Mount-Rhyswicke followed the others into the salon, but Madame de
Vaurigard waited just inside the doorway for Mellin.

"_High_ play!" he cried. "We must play high! I won't play any other
way.--I want to play _high_!"

"Ah, wicked one! What did I tell you?"

He caught her hand. "And you must play too, Helene."