In sheer self-defense he talked with an animation he seldom displayed.
Evelyn was evidently much taken by him, and, fired by her manifest
interest, he indulged in fantastic paradox and wild flights of fancy.
Seemingly his exuberance stimulated Forbes, himself a well-informed
and epigrammatic talker.

An hour sped all too soon. The girl rose with a sigh.

"It's too bad that I should have to go," she said. "I shall be bored
stiff at Lady de Winton's. But I can't get out of it except by telling
a positive fib over the telephone. Dad, next time you ask Mr. Theydon
to dinner, please let me know in good time, and neither of you will be
rid of me so easily."

She shook hands with Theydon. While she was giving her father a
parting kiss the guest moved to the door and held it open. As she
passed out she smiled and her eyes said plainly:

"I like you. Come again soon."

Then she was gone and the pleasant room lost some of its glow and
color.

"Don't sit down again, Theydon," said Forbes, rising. "We'll have
coffee brought to my den. What is your favorite liqueur-- or shall we
tell Tomlinson to send along that decanter of port? It's a first-rate
wine. Another glass won't hurt you, or me, for that matter."

Theydon had hardly dared to touch the champagne supplied during the
meal. Abstemious at all times, because he found that wine or spirits