, what a charming thing of you to say! I must
remember that, and so witty, too! Edith dear," as Mrs. Symmes approached
them, "you can't fancy what a wit Mr. Hayden is."

"Oh, yes, I can," returned Mrs. Symmes, "and that is the reason I have
come to drag him away from you. Here is Mr. Penfield to take his place,
and tell you a lot of new scandals all springing directly from the seven
deadly old sins. Come and sit on the sofa with me, Mr. Hayden."

"Rescued!" he muttered feebly when they had sat down in a remote corner.
"I had an idea that I was never going to escape, that it would run on for
ever and ever."

"Poor Marcia!" murmured Mrs. Symmes, glancing toward the window where
Marcia and Ames stood, still engrossed in conversation. "And poor
Wilfred! You haven't seen his Old Man of the Sea yet--meaning his
mother?"

"No, is she, too, a Venus with a bad eye?"

"Quite the reverse." Faint sparkles of amusement came into her eyes,
amusement which was always touched with a slight malice. "Mr. Hayden,
some people are coming to take luncheon with me next Wednesday, I may
count on you, may I not?"

"Indeed, yes," he assured her. "I should like nothing better."

She rose and he with her. Every one was doing the same. With a purpose
which had been maturing in his mind during the last hour, Hayden
approached Kitty and Marcia, who stood together talking in low tones as
Kitty caught her furs about her.

"Miss Oldham," Hayden's voice was delightfully ingratiating, "don't you
or Kitty want to give me the address of this wonderful fortune-teller,
Mademoiselle Mariposa?"

"But you said you took no interest in such things," Kitty spoke quickly.
"You insisted that they were all fakers and frauds. Why do you want to go
now?"

"But I have an idea that I have met the lady," he asserted.

Marcia gave a quick start; but Kitty laughed. "I defy you to pierce her
disguise," she asserted, "and tell whether you have met her or not,
unless, of course, she acknowledges the acquaintance. I will telephone
you her address the moment I reach home. I do not remember the number."

CHAPTER VIII

Kitty was as good as her word and telephoned her cousin the address of
Mademoiselle Mariposa that evening,--a fact that rather surprised Hayden,
as he had a sort of indefinable idea that she would conveniently forget
her promise.

On his part, he lost no time in seeking the Mariposa, calling at her
apartment the next morning, only to be info