For reply he stooped to her foot, and kissed the mesh-clad instep
fervidly.

"How dare you!" she cried, scrambling down hastily without his
assistance.

But, alas, even trickery is not always successful in this uncertain
world! The hold of the piano upon the hem of her gown was stronger
than she realized. She tripped and stumbled, half-hung for a second,
and then dropped in an inglorious heap at the feet of the man she
wished to humiliate.

Elsie was on her feet in a minute. She did not take the hand which
Rangely extended, but drew back, her eyes sparkling with rage.

"Oh, you find it laughable, do you?" she cried. "A gentleman would at
least have concealed his amusement!"

He grew suddenly grave, and seemed not a little surprised.

"I beg your pardon," he said. "I hope you were not hurt."

She looked at him scornfully without replying, and then walked to the
mantel, where there was a small antique mirror of silver.

"Thank you, not in the least."

Her tone was no warmer than an arctic night. She gathered her hair, and
began to twist it up. He followed and stood behind her with an air at
once deprecatory and insinuating.