hink he'd mind if I called him Robert?"

"You must be the judge of that," she replied evasively.

Just then there was a rap on the door.

"Come," called out Virginia.

The door opened and Stafford entered.

CHAPTER XIV

As the millionaire advanced into the room it was easy to see that he
was not himself. His face was flushed, his eyes brilliant, his gait
awkward and uncertain. The bosom of his full dress shirt was rumpled
and his white tie awry. He had every appearance of having just come
from some midnight orgy, and, like most roysterers who take their wine
joyously, he was in the highest spirits. Making with his right arm a
wide sweeping gesture meant to include all present in a general
salutation, he hiccoughed:

"Ev'ning, everybody!"

He stood still in the centre of the room, maintaining with difficulty
the centre of gravitation and grinning upon each in turn.

"Isn't he jolly to-night?" laughed Fanny.

"Got 'em again," chuckled Jim in an undertone.

Virginia alone was not amused. Her face turned deathly pale. He had
broken his word again. She looked at him, and shuddered. She saw his
eyes seek her out and she read there the same expression which had
always frightened her and which when he was in that condition meant
only one thing. She could not go on living like this. It was
unbearable, more than she could endure. It was too humiliating, too
degrading. As she stood watching him he advanced clumsily towards her.
Involuntarily she recoiled, but, in a stride, he was beside her and
placed one arm round her waist. Kissing her, he hiccoughed:

"Hello, honey!" With maudlin admiration he exclaimed: "My, but you
look sweet to-night!"

Disgusted, nauseated, Virginia turned her head away from his tainted
breath, and tried to disengage herself. But he held her as in a vice.
Turning to Jimmie, he said jocularly:

"Do you--wonder that--I'm in love with her?"

"I should say not," grinned the clerk.

"She's the prettiest and sweetest girl that ever lived," went on
Stafford. He still had one arm round his wife's waist and, struggling
to place his mouth on hers, he insisted: "Kiss me, honey!"

In vain Virginia strove to free herself. She was but a child in his
strong arms.

"Robert--Robert--please!" she protested angrily.

He laughed boisterously.

"Oh--go on--you know you love me! Kiss me!"

Reluctantly, realizing it was her only way of escape, she touched his
cheek with her cold lips.

"That'