Hammon himself greeted the girls when they had surrendered their
wraps, and, after his introduction to Lorelei, engaged Lilas in
earnest conversation.

Lorelei watched him curiously. She saw a powerfully built gray-
haired man, whose vigor age had not impaired. In face he was
perhaps fifty years old, in body he was much less. He was the
typical forceful New York man of affairs, carefully groomed,
perhaps a little inclined to stoutness. By this time millionaires
had lost their novelty for the girl. She had met some who were
more distinguished in appearance than this man, but never one who
seemed possessed of more nervous energy and virility. Jarvis
Hammon had a bold, incisive manner that was compelling and stamped
him as a big man in more ways than one. Playfully he pinched
Lilas's cheek, then turned with a smile to say:

"You'll pardon us for whispering, won't you, Miss Knight? You see,
Lilas got up this little party, and I've been waiting to consult
her about some of the details. Of course, she was late, as usual.
However"--he ran an admiring eye over the two girls--"the time
wasn't wasted, I see. My! How lovely you both look!"

Taking an arm of each, he swept them toward a reception-room from
which issued noisy laughter.

"Awfully good of you to come, Miss Knight. I hope you'll find my
friends agreeable and enjoy yourself."

Perhaps twenty men in evening dress and as many elaborately gowned