"
"But I mean the woman sitting down."
Rita stood on tiptoe, trying to obtain a view, and suddenly:
"Oh!" she exclaimed, "Mrs. Sin!"
The dance at that moment concluding, they crossed the floor and joined
the party. Mrs. Sin greeted them with one of her rapid, mirthless
smiles. She was wearing a gown noticeable, but not for quantity, even
in that semi-draped assembly. Mollie Gretna giggled rapturously. But
Gray's swiftly changing color betrayed a mood which he tried in vain
to conceal by his manner. Having exchanged a few words with the new
arrivals, he evidently realized that he could not trust himself to
remain longer, and:
"Now I must be off," he said awkwardly. "I have an appointment--
important business. Good night, everybody."
He turned away and hurried from the room. Rita flushed slightly and
exchanged a glance with Sir Lucien. Mrs. Sin, who had been watching
the three intently, did not fail to perceive this glance. Mollie
Gretna characteristically said a silly thing.
"Oh!" she cried. "I wonder whatever is the matter with him! He looks
as though he had gone mad!"
"It is perhaps his heart," said Mrs. Sin harshly, and she raised her
bold dark eyes to Sir Lucien's face.
"Oh, please don't talk about hearts," cried Rita, willfully
misunderstanding.
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