has happened?" Karl asked.

He walked toward her, and as he did so Millar emerged from his place of
concealment. Karl looked at him.

"Ah, now I understand," he said.

"Surely you do not mean to suspect that I am the cause of Miss Elsa's
unhappiness," he said blandly.

Karl ignored him and turned to Elsa, looking at her in frank admiration.

"You are very pretty to-night," he said, going close to her. "It is
because you are yourself--a sweet, pure, natural girl. I like you better
this way, Elsa. I could take you in my arms and hug you."

"Oh, Karl!" Elsa exclaimed, blushing and hiding her face.

Millar's cynical smile overspread his face, and he turned away, well
satisfied with the progress he was making.

"Excuse me," he murmured. "I must say good-evening to our hostess," and
he stole quietly out.

The two young people did not notice him. They sat down very close to
each other, Karl leaning forward and looking into the big blue eyes of
the girl. Elsa gave a glance at the disappearing figure of Millar.

"I am awfully glad to be alone with you, Elsa," Karl said. "You are the
one natural thing in this fetid, artificial atmosphere. Don't you feel
warm?"

"Yes, as if some hot breeze were blowing through this room. It stifles
me."

"You never spoke like that before," Karl said.

His back was toward the ballroom door and he did not see Millar usher
Olga into the room. The man had brought Olga that she might witness the
fulfilment of her plan, and that he might triumph in her jealousy and
further thwart them. Elsa saw them come in and seat themselves across
the room.

"There is Olga," she said, "and she, too, is jealous. Don't you want to
speak to her?"

"I have seen her," Karl replied without turning around. "I would rather
talk with you. It's far more interesting."

"They are talking about us," Elsa said warningly, as she saw Olga and
Millar look toward them.

"Oh, what of it?" Karl exclaimed impatiently. "Let us be glad we are
together. I am just beginning to know you, Elsa."

"Why do you look around, then?" Elsa said.

"Am I looking around?" Karl asked. "I wasn't aware of it."

But even as he spoke he could not help furtively glancing around to see
what Millar and Olga were doing. He remembered the man's declaration in
the studio that afternoon and he distrusted and feared him. He was
beginning to hate him.

By a sheer effort of will he forced himself to turn to Elsa. He resolved
that he would t