"You'd better keep away, all of you!" was all he said, but the look on his face warned them that he was in no mood to be trifled with, and as the door closed behind him they did not even laugh. The room into which he had taken her was furnished as a library, and as Lola looked about her she noticed with keen pleasure the tasteful and expensive furnishings and the atmosphere of luxury. In reality, it was Dick's favorite room, and reflected, as rooms sometimes will, the better side of his nature. It is worthy of remark that of all the noisy party outside, Mrs. Harlan alone had ever put her foot across this threshold, and Mrs. Harlan, no matter what her faults, at least had brains. As Lola seated herself and looked around curiously, he stood expectantly in front of her, waiting for an explanation of her presence. "Well, Lola," he said at last, seeing that she made no effort to begin. "Well?" She looked at him smilingly. "It's awful good of you to come here, of course, Lola, but I--I--don't you think you had better tell me all about it?" "There is very little to tell, Dick. They scolded me for being late; that started it, then John found out that I had been at the restaurant with you; a little later they found that silly diamond thing you gave me. One thing on top of another was a little too much for them. Things began to be very unpleasant, so I came away." "Came away. I am not sure that I quite understand you. Came away for how long?" "I am never going back there," she replied, "never in my life." "And--and you came to me?" "Yes." "Lola! Do you know what that means?" "I--I thought it would mean that you would be glad to see me." He was far from being a good man. He had done his best to bring this very thing about, but now that it had come some little spark of manhood in him made him hesitate. He did not speak for a moment, and when he did it was in a voice more serious than any of his friends would have recognized. "I am married, Lola; you know that, but my lawyers are fixing things, and before long I expect to get a divorce. Will you come to me now, and let me take you away from all this mess, and marry me just as soon as things are arranged?" "Are you sure you want me, Dick?" The look in his eyes was answer enough as he caught her in his arms, but if she was afraid of him she showed no sign of it. She allowed him to kiss her once on the lips, then she gently freed herself, and stood looking at him laughingly, and she seemed to him so young, so like a pretty, inexperienced child, that he was, for the moment, ashamed to press his advantage over her. "You did want me after all, didn't you, Dick? I was sure you would, although I was just a little bit nervous, while your man kept me waiting at the door. You are a dear boy, and I am going to learn to be very fond of you, and just as soon as you get that horrid divorce I will marry you, if you still want me."