Athalie

"I believe you now," he said, staring at her. "I wish to offer you in

behalf of the Company--"

A swift gesture conjured him to silence. She rose, listening intently.

Presently his ears too caught the faint sound, and he turned and

walked swiftly and silently to the open window.

"There is your extra," she said pleasantly. "The Empress of Borneo

has been reported."

* * * * *

She was still lying on the couch beside the crystal, idly watching

what scenes were drifting, mist-like, through its depths--scenes

vague, and faded in colour, and of indefinite outline; for, like the

monotone of a half-heard conversation which does not concern a

listener these passing phantoms concerned not her.

Under her indifferent eyes they moved; pale-tinted scenes grew, waxed,

and waned, and a ghostly processional flowed through them without end

under her dark blue dreaming eyes.

She had turned and dropped her head back upon the silken pillows when

his signal sounded in telegraphic sequence on the tiny concealed bell.

The still air of the room was yet tremulous with the silvery vibration

when he entered, looked around, caught sight of her, and came swiftly

toward her.

She looked up at him in her sweet, idly humorous way, unstirring.

"This is becoming a habit with you, Clive."

"Didn't you care to see me this afternoon?" he asked so seriously that

the girl laughed outright and stretched out one hand to him.

"Clive, you're becoming ponderous! Do you know it? Suppose I didn't

care to see you this particular afternoon. Is there any reason why you

should take it so seriously?"

"Plenty of reasons," he said, saluting her smooth, cool hand,--"with

all these people at your heels every minute--"

"Please don't pretend--"

"I'm not jealous. But all these men--Cecil and Jimmy Allys--they're

beginning to be a trifle annoying to me."

She laughed in unfeigned and malicious delight: "They don't annoy me! No girl ever was annoyed by overattention from

her suitors--except Penelope--and I don't believe she had such a

horrid time of it either, until her husband came home and shot up the

whole the dansant."

He was still standing beside her couch without offering to seat

himself; and she let him remain standing a few minutes longer before

she condescended to move aside on her pillows and nod a tardy

invitation.

"Has it been an interesting day, Clive?"

"Rather."

"And you have really gone back into business again?"

"Yes."

"And will the real estate market rally at the news of your august

reappearance?" she inquired mischievously.