before
how disagreeable said tendency was.

(Going to marry Holloway!)

"But, then, dear Cousin Betty's such a coquette that no one can ever tell
whom she does like. She's very insincere."

Jack twisted uneasily. If there was any comfort to be derived from Miss
Lorne's last speech, it was certainly of a most chilly sort.

(Probably going to marry Holloway!)

"Now, I think it's too bad, when there are so many simple, sweet girls in
the world, that men seem to adore those that flirt like dear Cousin Betty.
I don't approve of flirting anyway. I wouldn't flirt for anything. I don't
want to break men's hearts."

"That's awfully good of you," Jack said, looking eagerly to where Holloway
and Mrs. Rosscott stood together.

"Oh, no it isn't," said Miss Lorne, "I don't take any credit for it--I was
born so. Dear Betty was a regular flirt when she was ever so small, but I
never was. I'm sincere and I can't take any credit for it. I was born so."

Holloway was talking and Mrs. Rosscott's eyes were uplifted to his. Jack
was sure there was adoration in them. He knew Holloway was in love with
her. How could he be a man and help it. Oh, it was damnable--unbearable.

He stood up suddenly. He couldn't help it. He was crazed, maddened,
choked, stifled. The fates must intervene and rescue his reason or else--

There was a blessed sound--the announcing of dinner.

* * * * *

Later there was music in the great white salon where the organ was. Maude
Lome sang, and the man with the monocle accompanied her on the organ. Mrs.
Rosscott sat on a divan between Holloway and General Jiggs. Jack was left
out in the cold.

(Surely in love with Holloway!)

It was only twenty-six hours since he had first met her, and he hated to
consider his life as unalterably blasted, or to even give up the fight.
Nevertheless, whenever he looked across the room he saw fresh signs of the
most awful kind. Even the way that she didn't trouble to trouble over the
one man, but devoted herself to General Jiggs, was in itself a very bad
portent. Well, such was life and one must bear it somehow and be a man.
Probably he would suffer less after the first five or ten years--he hoped
so at any rate. But, great heavens, what a fearful prospect until those
first five or ten years were gone by!

Finally he went up to his own room and put on another collar and sat down
at the open window and thought about it for a good while all quiet