Part 48 (1/2)

”Some women,” she corrected, with a quick glance at him. She reflected, and then went on: ”I think it is partly because he is so bold and partly that he never appears to know any one else. It is the most insidious flattery in the world. I like him because I have known him all my life.

I know him perfectly.”

”Yes?” Keith spoke politely.

She read his thought. ”You wonder if I really know him? Yes, I do. But, somehow, I cling to those I knew in my girlhood. You don't believe that, but I do.” She glanced at him and then looked away.

”Yes, I do believe it. Then let's be friends--old friends,” said Keith.

He held out his hand, and when she took it grasped hers firmly.

”Who is here with you to-night?” he asked.

”No one. Mr. Lancaster does not care for b.a.l.l.s.”

”Won't you give me the pleasure of seeing you home?” She hesitated for a moment, and then said:

”I will drop you at your hotel. It is right on my way home.”

Just then some one came up and joined the group.

”Ah, my dear Mrs. Lancaster! How well you are looking this evening!”

The full voice, no less than the words, sounded familiar to Keith, and turning, he recognized the young clergyman whom he had met at Mrs.

Wentworth's when he pa.s.sed through New York some years before. The years had plainly used Mr. Rimmon well. He was dressed in an evening suit with a clerical waistcoat which showed that his plump frame had taken on an extra layer, and a double chin was beginning to rest on his collar.

Mrs. Lancaster smiled as she returned his greeting.

”You are my stand-by, Mr. Rimmon. I always know that, no matter what others may say of me, I shall be sure of at least one compliment before the evening is over if you are present.”

”That is because you always deserve it.” He put his head on one side like an aldermanic robin. ”Ah, if you knew how many compliments I do pay you which you never hear! My entire life is a compliment to you,”

declared Mr. Rimmon.

”Not your entire life, Mr. Rimmon. You are like some other men. You confound me with some one else; for I am sure I heard you saying the same thing five minutes ago to Louise Wentworth.”

”Impossible. Then I must have confounded her with you,” sighed Mr.

Rimmon, with such a look at Mrs. Lancaster out of his languis.h.i.+ng eyes that she gave him a laughing tap with her fan.

”Go and practise that on a debutante. I am an old married woman, remember.”

”Ah, me!” sighed the gentleman. ”'Marriage and Death and Division make barren our lives.'”

”Where does that come from?” asked Mrs. Lancaster.

”Ah! from--ah--” began Mr. Rimmon, then catching Keith's eyes resting on him with an amused look in them, he turned red.

She addressed Keith. ”Mr. Keith, you quoted that to me once; where does it come from? From the Bible?”

”No.”