"No, no," she laughed breathlessly.

"Then you'll watch. Promise you'll watch me. I won't let you go till you
promise to watch me."

"I shall adore it, my frien'!"

"Mellin," called Cooley from the other room. "You comin' or not?"

"Can't you see me?" answered Mellin hilariously, entering with Madame de
Vaurigard, who was rosy with laughter. "Peculiar thing to look at a man
and not see him."

Candles were lit in many sconces on the walls, and the card-table had
been pushed to the centre of the room, little towers of blue, white
and scarlet counters arranged upon it in orderly rows like miniature
castles.

"Now, then," demanded Cooley, "are the ladies goin' to play?"

"Never!" cried Madame de Vaurigard.

"All right," said the youth cheerfully; "you can look on. Come and sit
by me for a mascot."

"You'll need a mascot, my boy!" shouted Pedlow. "That's right, though;
take her."

He pushed a chair close to that in which Cooley had already seated
himself, and Madame de Vaurigard dropped into it, laughing. "Mellin,