"She is a wonder! Did you know all this about her when you married her?" "Certainly," lied Jerry. "Everybody admires her. Is that the English poet over there?" "Yes, there are heaps of celebrities here to-day. I will gather in some for you," he laughed. Just then Althea entered the room and he almost lost control of his features. He saw her swift glance of appraisal as she went to Jane, who greeted her as if they had met yesterday. "What a beautiful studio, Mrs. Paxton," she chattered to cover the embarrassment of the moment. "Yes, we like it. Jerry, here is an old friend of yours," Jane said. "How do you do?" he remarked. "How do you do, Strange Man?" she exclaimed. Jane moved away. "It's beautiful, Jerry. You _are_ getting on." "Yes, thanks be." "I hear of these teas of yours everywhere." "They are Jane's teas; I have no credit for them." "I suppose Mr. Christiansen supplies her celebrities." "Is he a celebrity agent?" "He knows everybody, of course, and his devotion to your wife is the talk of the town." "Mrs. Paxton seems to act as a magnet to celebrities. She needs no assistance," he said, ignoring the end of her remark. "How fortunate!" "Are you having a good time this winter?" he asked, to change the subject. "I should think you would scarcely ask me that." "Why shouldn't I ask you?" "You know how miserable you've made me." "_I_ have? What are you talking about?" "Everybody talks about it." "About what?" "The way you dropped me." "But I didn't; you dropped me." "No one believes that. They think your wife is jealous and made you give me up." "I don't know what you mean by 'give you up.'" "Last winter and spring you were always with me." "I'm awfully sorry if I damaged your reputation in any way." "It isn't only my reputation you damaged, Jerry." "Look here, Althea, this is foolish kind of talk for us to be indulging in. There was never anything between us but a mild flirtation, and we both know it." "How cruel men are!" she replied tragically. "Aren't they?" he laughed. "You ought to get them all transported to Mars; then you would have a perfect world, for woman's delectation. You know Mr. Chatfield, don't you, Miss Morton? Chat, she holds a brief on man's inhumanity to woman. Jane is calling me, so I leave you as my proxy. Defend us, Chat!" He bowed and sauntered off. As he came to the tea table Bobs remarked: "I see dear Althy is with us. Some nerve--what?" "Oh, no--a forgiving nature. You never did her justice." "Go bring her over here. I owe her one or two." "No, thanks. I don't want to turn Jane's party into a battlefield." "Never fear. Althy is for trench warfare, she never fights in the open." "Admire her, don't you, Bobs?" "Vawstly!" He moved on to another group, chatting for a few seconds. Then he joined Jane, the poet, and Christiansen, who were in earnest discussion. Jane was speaking.