"Well, then—then—what kind of an engagement do you suggest?" he asked cheerfully. "Just the circingle and halter kind?" "What kind is that, Scott?" "Oh, an understanding that you’re not bitted and bridled yet." "You mean that the engagement lasts during my pleasure?" "Yes, that’s it." "And ends in marriage—or a very, very kind note?" she asked, laughing. "Sure thing! Am I on?" She considered him, smilingly. "If you like," she said. "Oh, I _do_ like! It’s awf’lly good of you, Diana.... Would you be gracious enough to wear a sparkler?" "Not yet, Scott." "Oh, that’s all right—whenever you say." He looked up at her, blushing. "Do you mind if I kiss you?" She looked at him for a second, then impulsively bent forward and kissed him squarely. "You nice boy," she said gently; "you nice, nice boy. I wish the world were fuller of your sort.... I don’t love you, Scott.... I don’t suppose I shall.... But if you knew what I feel for you, I believe you wouldn’t exchange it for any love I could ever give you.... Shall we go into the billiard room? I’m playing at Colonel Curmew’s table, and he’s probably perfectly furious at being kept waiting." She gave his hand a friendly pressure as he released it, laughed, blushed, and turned away toward the billiard room, where the clamor was already audible. They parted at the door, where she met her sister in conversation with Mr. Rivett. "Diana," she said, "Mr. Rivett and I are going to town on the early train. You know he goes every week, and I’ve simply got to do some shopping. Will you come with us?" Diana’s heart gave a bound. To her, New York had become merely the abiding place of Edgerton, and every mention of it started her pulses. "Oh, do come, Di," urged her sister. "If you’ll come, we’ll have Jim to dinner at the Plaza. All the theaters are open, too, and we can have a jolly time." "How on earth is Jack going to bear it?" asked Diana, laughing. "Bear it? Did you suppose Jack wasn’t coming?" asked Silvette so naïvely that the corners of Mr. Rivett’s eyes cracked into wrinkles. "All right, I’ll come," said Diana, with never a thought for Scott Wallace; but, thinking of Edgerton, she had meant to go from the first. As Silvette, on her future father-in-law’s arm, walked on toward the drawing-room, Colonel Curmew appeared from the billiard room. "Oh," said Diana, "I am so sorry to have kept you waiting. I was talking to my sister about going to town to-morrow." "I want to see you before you go," said Curmew in a low voice. "It can’t be done now—they’re waiting for us, and Mrs. Wemyss is developing a temper. When can I see you?" "Why, I don’t know," she said, smiling. "What have you to say to me that cannot be said now?" The colonel’s eyes popped, and he leered at her, not doubting her coquetry. "On the terrace after cards," he said, curling his mustache. "Is that understood?"