hilaration. For one night he would let himself go. He would be
himself. No one should snub him. Snubs came from self-consciousness--he
who was above them need not see them.

When at last he entered the drawing-room, it was unillumined except for
the flickering flame of a fire of oak logs. The guests, assembling
wraith-like among the shadows, were given, each, an unlighted candle.

Roger found a place in a big chair beside the piano, and sat there alone,
interested and curious. And presently Pittiwitz, stealing toward the
hearth, arched her back under his hand, and he reached down and lifted
her to his knee, where she stretched herself, sphinx-like, her amber eyes
shining in the dusk.

With the last guest seated, Barry stood before them, and gave the key to
the situation.

"Everybody is to light a candle with some stunt," he explained. "You
know the idea. All of you have some parlor tricks, and you're to show
them off."

There were no immediate volunteers, so Barry pounced on Leila.

"You begin," he said, and drew her into the circle of the firelight.

She looked very childish and sweet as she stood there with her unlighted
candle, and sang a lullaby. Mary Ballard played her accompaniment
softly, sitting so near to Roger in his dim corner that the folds of her
velvet gown swept his foot.

And when the song was finished, Leila touched a match to her candle and
stood on tiptoe to set it on the corner of the mantel, where it glimmered
bravely.

General Dick and Mr. Jeliffe came next. Solemnly they placed two
cushions on the hearth-rug, solemnly they knelt thereon, facing each
other. Then intently and conscientiously they played the old game of
"Pease porridge hot, pease porridge cold." The General's fat hands met
Mr. Jeliffe's thin ones alternately and in unison. Not a mistake did
they make, and, ending out of breath, the General found it hard to rise,
and had to be picked by Porter, like a plump feather pillow.

And now the candles were three!

Then Barry and Delilah danced, a dance which they had practiced together.
It had in it just a hint of wildness, and just a hint of sophistication,
and Delilah in her dress of sapphire chiffon, with its flaring tunic of
silver net, seemed in the nebulous light like some strange bird of the
night.

And now the candles were five!

Following, Leila went to the piano, and Porter and Mary gave a minuet.
They had learned it at dancing-school, and it had been ye