Groups were strolling in and out among the gardens. Armitage caught the pale flashes of fans and gowns; the cigarette lights of the men glowed among the shrubbery like fireflies. The moon was full, shining through rifted clouds, and the ocean, murmuring at the foot of the cliffs, stretched away to the starry horizon. The lamps of the Brenton's Reef light vessel seemed close enough to touch, and farther out the lights of a deep sea tug with a string of coal barges astern moved slowly down the coast. As Jack threw away his cigarette preparatory to going into the house, Anne Wellington stepped through the door, laughing back at Koltsoff, who was following her. Jack averted his head and as he did so the girl turned to her companion. "Pardon me for one second," she said. "Are n't you going to ask me to dance?" she said in a low voice as she confronted Armitage. He smiled. "Oh, certainly!" "Oh, there is precedent," laughed Anne. "Was n't it Dick Turpin who danced with the Duchess of--of something, once?" "But he was hanged later." "Not for that." She stood for a moment regarding him and decided that no man at the ball was better to look at in any way. "I am a good American to-night," she said slowly. "I--I thought you might be interested to know." "I am interested," said Jack. Then his eyes lighted. "Are you serious about that dance?" She returned his gaze, humorously defiant. "I don't care, if you don't," he added; "I dare you." "They say naval officers are divine dancers," she replied as though to herself. "You may have the next dance if--if you can find me out here--and--and take me away from His Highness." Before he could reply she had smiled and nodded and rejoined Koltsoff, who was waiting, not without impatience, at the foot of the steps. He took her arm and led the way toward a small promontory overlooking the ocean. His demeanor was silent, romantic. But somehow Anne was neither interested nor thrilled. As they stopped at the edge of the cliff, she released her arm which his fingers had tightly pressed. He took a cigarette from his case and then impatiently tossed it away. "I spoke to your father this afternoon," he said, "as to our understanding." "Our understanding!" "About the dowry. He declined to yield to the European custom." "How like father! Of course that changes your attitude toward me." Her voice was cool and unwavering. He raised his hands as though despairing. "It does not." He confronted her so that they almost touched. "Is it possible that you can think of that? I replied to your father that I was going to take you anyway." "You--are going--to--take me anyway! What do you mean, Prince Koltsoff?" "Mean! What do I mean! Why, no less than that dowry or no dowry, you are mine." "But you have n't asked me. I have said nothing to make you believe that." "Eh?" Koltsoff tossed his head dazedly.