eople of the world meet, and then
maybe you won't like me at all!"

"After this the world will never be the same planet again. Hereafter my
business will be to follow you----"

She broke in laughingly, "even to the Little Dipper?"

"Even to the farthest star!" he answered.

After coffee had been served in the drawing-room, Hood, again dominating
the company (much to Deering's disgust), suggested music. Pierrette
contributed a flashing, golden Chopin waltz and Pantaloon Schubert's
"Serenade," which he played atrociously, whereupon Hood announced that he
would sing a Scotch ballad, which he proceeded to do surprisingly well.
The evening could not last forever, and Deering chafed at his inability
to detach Pierrette from the piano; but she was most provokingly
submissive to Hood's demand that the music continue. Deering had
protested that he didn't sing; he hated himself for not singing!

He fidgeted awhile; then, finding the others fully preoccupied with their
musical experiments, quietly left the drawing-room. It had occurred to
him that Constance, who had disappeared when they left the table, might
be seeking a chance to speak to him and he strolled through the library
(a large room with books crowding to the ceiling) to a glass door opening
into a conservatory, which was dark save for the light from the library.
He was about to turn away when an outer door opened furtively and
Cassowary stepped in from the grounds. The chauffeur glanced about
nervously as though anxious to avoid detection.

As Deering watched him a shadow darted by, and his sister--unmistakably
Constance in the dark gown with its white collar and cuffs that she had
worn at dinner--moved swiftly toward the chauffeur. She gave him both
hands; he kissed her eagerly; then they began talking earnestly. For
several minutes Deering heard the blurred murmur of rapid question and
reply; then, evidently disturbed by an outburst of merriment from the
drawing-room, the two parted with another hand-clasp and kiss, and
Cassowary darted through the outer door.

Constance waited a moment, as though to compose herself, and then began
retracing her steps down the conservatory aisle. As she passed his
hiding-place Deering stepped out and seized her arm.

"So this is what's in the wind, is it?" he demanded roughly. "I suppose
you don't know that that man's a bad lot, a worthless fellow Hood picked
up in the hope of reforming him! For all I know he may be the chauf