barely noticed.

"I adopt it tomorrow," said Mrs. McLane emphatically. "With my white
hair I shall look more like an old marquise than ever."

One of the other women ran into Masters' bedroom where they had left
their wraps and emerged in a few moments with a lifted chignon and a
straggling curl. Amid exclamations and laughter two more followed
suit, while the host and the other men waited patiently for their
dinner. It was a lively party that finally sat down, and it was the
gayest if the most momentous of Masters' little functions.

His eyes strayed toward Madeleine more than once, for her success
had excited her and she had never looked lovelier. She was at the
other end of the table and Mrs. McLane and Mrs. Ballinger sat beside
him. She interested him for the first time and he adroitly drew her
history from his mentor (not that he deluded that astute lady for an
instant, but she dearly loved to gossip).

"She is going through one of those crises that all young wives must
expect," she concluded. "If it isn't one thing it's another. She is
still very young, and inclined to be romantic. She expected too much--
of a husband, mon dieu! Of course she is lonely or thinks she is. Too
bad youth never can realize that it is enough to be young. And with
beauty, and means, and position, and charming frocks! She will grow
philosophical--when it is too late. Meanwhile a little flirtation
would not hurt her and Howard Talbot does not know the meaning of the
word jealousy. Why don't you take her in hand?"

"Not my line. But it seems odd that Talbot should neglect her. She