instantly the plate with the ice was back in my hand.

There was nothing for me but to take the joke in the spirit in
which the other guests had taken it. I laughed with them and
managed to get away.

Meanwhile Kennedy had been moving from one to another of the
guests seeking Elaine. He had already taken an ice from the waiter
and was going in the direction of the conservatory. There he found
her.

"Won't you take this ice?" he asked, handing it to her.

"It is very kind of you," she said, "but I have already sent
Walter for one."

Kennedy insisted and she took it.

She had already started to eat it when I appeared in the doorway.
I was rather vexed at Long Sin for having delayed me, and I
mumbled something about it.

Kennedy laughed, rather pleased at having beaten me.

"Never mind, Walter," he said with a smile, "I'll take it. And er-
-I don't think that Elaine will object if you play the host for a
little while with Aunt Josephine," he hinted.

I saw that three was a crowd and I turned to retrace my steps to
the drawing-room.