the plea that they were thousands of miles from civilization, but Joyce
knew what was due her lovely body and saw that the service was paid
rigorously. She chose to wear to-night a black gown that set off
wonderfully the soft beauty of her face and the grace of her figure.
Jack Kilmeny was to be there later for bridge, and before he came she
had to dazzle and placate Verinder, who had been for several days very
sulky at having to play second fiddle.

When Joyce sailed down the corridor to the parlor which adjoined the
private dining-room of the party, she caught a glimpse of Verinder
turning a corner of the passage toward his room. Lady Farquhar was alone
in the parlor.

"Didn't I see Mr. Verinder going out?" asked Joyce, sinking indolently
into the easiest chair and reaching for a magazine.

"Yes. At least he was here." After a moment Lady Farquhar added
quietly, "He leaves to-morrow."

Joyce looked up quickly. "Leaves where?"

"Goldbanks. He is starting for London."

"But.... What about the reorganization of the companies? I thought...."

"He has changed his plans. James is to have his proxies and to arrange
the consolidation. Mr. Verinder is anxious to get away at once."

After an instant's consideration Joyce laughed scornfully. She was
dismayed by this sudden move, but did not intend to show it. "Isn't this
rather ... precipitous? We're all going in a few days. Why can't he
wait?"

Her chaperone looked at Joyce as she answered. "Urgent business, he
says."

"Urgent fiddlesticks!" Joyce stifled a manufactured yawn. "I dare say we
bore him as much as he does us. Wish we were all back in grimy old
London."

"It won't be long now." Lady Jim answered with a smile at the other
suggestion. "No, I don't think business calls him, and I don't think he
is bored."

Joyce understood the significance of the retort. Verinder at last had
revolted against being played with fast and loose. He was going because
of her violent flirtation with Jack Kilmeny. This was his declaration of
independence.

Miss Seldon was alarmed. She had not for a minute intended to let the
millionaire escape. The very possibility of it frightened her. It had
not occurred to her that the little man had spirit enough to resent her
course so effectively. With the prospect of losing it in sight, his
great wealth loomed up to dwarf the desire of the hour. She blamed
herself because in the excitement of her affair with Kilmeny she had for
the fir