"You were always a woman," he said. "That is why----"

"That is why I am here to-night. If you were not a true woman I should be far away."

"You are far away--from me, Bertie."

"No, no! I am only beginning to appreciate you--to understand you."

"I am to be understood through the medium of Phyllis Ayrton? Isn't that like looking at happiness through another's eyes?"

He did not appear to catch her meaning at once. He looked at her and then his eyes went across the room to Phyllis. At the same instant the performance on the piano ceased. Everyone said "Thanks, awfully good," and there were some audible yawns.

There was a brandy and soda yearning in the men's eyes.

"We'll get off to bed; someone may begin to play something else," whispered the hostess to one of her lady guests.