apparent at first glance. Through the bewildering riot of greenery
had been woven an almost invisible netting, and the space behind
formed a prison for birds and butterflies. Where they had come
from or at what expense they had been procured it was impossible
to conceive. But, disturbed by the commotion, the feathered
creatures twittered and fluttered against the netting in a panic
which drew attention to them even if it did not wholly convey the
illusion of a woodland scene. As for the butterflies, no
artificial light could deceive them, and they clung with closed
wings to leaves and branches, only now and then displaying their
full glory in a sleepy protest. There were scores, hundreds of
them, and the diners passed in review of the spectacle like
country visitors before the glass tanks of the Aquarium. A
strident shriek sounded as a gorgeously caparisoned peacock
preened himself; others were discovered here and there, brilliant-
hued specimens, voicing shrill indignation.

"How--BEAUTIFUL!" gasped Lorelei, when she had taken in the whole
scene. "But--the poor little things are frightened." She looked up
to find her companion staring in Hammon's direction with an
expression of peculiar, derisive amusement.

Hammon was the center of an admiring group; congratulations were
being hurled at him from every quarter. At his side was Lilas
Lynn, very dark, very striking, very expensively gowned, and
elaborately bejeweled. The room was dinning with the strains of an
invisible orchestra and the vocal uproar; topping the confusion
came shrieks from the excitable peacocks; the wild birds twittered
and beat themselves affrightedly against the netting.