hers in a look that was like an embrace.

"I will see you soon," she said quietly.

Van Camp said good night to Jones at the corner, after they had walked
together in silence for half a block.

"Good night, Van Camp," said Jones; then he added cordially: "By the way,
I'm going back next week in my private car to watch the opening of the
Liza Lu, and I'd be mighty glad if you'd go along. Anything else to do?"

"Thanks--extremely; but I'm going on a cruise."

As Aleck entered the piously exclusive hall of the club his good nature
came to his aid. He wondered whether he hadn't scored something, after
all.

CHAPTER V.

MELANIE'S DREAMS

Midnight and the relaxation of slumber could subtract nothing from the
high-browed dignity of the club officials, and the message that was
waiting for Mr. Van Camp was delivered in the most correct manner.
"Mr. Hambleton sends word to Mr. Van Camp that he has gone away on the
_Jeanne D'Arc_. Mr. Hambleton may not be back for some time, and
requests Mr. Van Camp to look after the _Sea Gull_."

"Very well, thank you," replied Aleck, rather absent-mindedly. He was
unable to see, immediately, just what change in his own plans this
sudden turn of Jim's would cause; and he was for the moment too deeply
preoccupied with his own personal affairs to speculate much about it.
His thoughts went back to the events of the evening, recalled the
picture of his Diana and her teasing ways, and dwelt especially upon
the honest, friendly, wholly bewitching look that had flown to him at
the end of the evening. Absurd as his own attempt at a declaration had
been, he somehow felt that he himself was not absurd in Melanie's eyes,
though he was far from certain whether she was inclined to marry him.

Aleck, on his part, had not come to his decision suddenly or
impulsively; nor, having arrived there, was he to be turned from it
easily. True as it was that he sincerely and affectionately desired
Melanie Reynier for a wife, yet on the whole he was a very cool Romeo.
He was manly, but he was calculating; he was honorably disposed toward
matrimony, but he was not reborn with love. And so, in the sober
bedroom of the club, he quickly fell into the good sleep induced by
fatigue and healthy nerves.

Morning brought counsel and a disposition to renew operations. A note
was despatched to his Diana by a private messenger, and the boy was
bidden to wait for an answer. It came presently:

"Come at