Adrien Leroy

"Ah!" said Vermont smiling, as he seated himself at the table and took

up a small bottle which proved to be empty, "Is there anything left to

drink?"

"Have some fizz," said Ada hospitably. "Ring the bell, Ju, and give me

another chop. Well, Jasper, what's the news?"

"Just the question I was about to ask," he replied, as the maid-servant

brought in a bottle of champagne and glasses on a silver tray. "How did

the comedy go?"

"Rotten!" pronounced Ada shortly. "I told Adrien it wouldn't go, though

I did my best--didn't I, Ju? The frocks were really first-class--blue

satin and silver, with loads of pearls, and my turquoise armlets. All

right, eh?"

"Yes," agreed Vermont, adding, with a sneer, "Perhaps the stupid public

got tired of looking at the blue satin."

"Then they could have looked at me instead," retorted Ada tartly. "But

I've no patience with Adrien. Why can't he get 'em something lively? A

musical comedy now--I could make that go, if you like! Plenty of songs

and no talky-talky business. Besides, I can dance."

"But can't act," murmured Jasper, with his sarcastic smile.

"Can't I!" cried Ada furiously. "That's all you know about it. Why

didn't you come last night?"

"Business," he answered carelessly, sipping his wine; adding, as he saw

her about to question him, "With which I won't trouble you, my fair

Ada."

"Oh won't you!" was that lady's retort. "You're mighty polite, I must

say. I suppose you were down at that old Castle again, and Adrien too!

What were you doing there?"

"Minding our own business," he replied smilingly, as he lit a cigarette.

"Close as a fox, you are," she declared, with a short, disagreeable

laugh. "Where's Adrien? Down there still?"

"No; at the Thessalian. I left him there with Mortimer Shelton."

"I hate that man," said Miss Lester viciously.

"So do I," agreed Vermont, "but I don't say so. Anyhow, Adrien's safe

there for another hour, and I came on to give you a word of warning."

He turned to her companion, who had been quietly finishing her supper as

if unconscious of anyone's presence.

"Julia, you look tired; you'd better get off to bed."

She rose and hesitated for a moment, looking from him to Ada; then

quietly left the room. Vermont gazed after her, much as he would have

watched a useless piece of furniture in course of removal; then he leant

back in his chair, and, before resuming, regarded fixedly Ada's flushed,

handsome face.