"I notice he doesn't object to musical comedy, and that's pretty up to date," giggled the fluffy one. The Spaniard shrugged up to his ears. "But, my dear lady, musical comedy is as old as woman's oldest profession!" "Lewd creature!" "Apropos of that, as Lord Dundreary would remark, have you seen Anne lately, Petrovskey?" Gerald's drawl drove the blood into Alexis' face. He saw Ellen's eyes encounter Gerald's with a significant smile. "I have not seen Mrs. Schuyler," Alexis emphasized the prefix, "for at least a week. You see, my doctor recommended country air and quiet. So I'm following his orders. And incidentally, preparing for my recital in January." He strolled over to Ellen and seated himself on a carved stool at her side. "But how did you happen to be out in these wilds, in this wintry weather?" His eyes probed her ironically. Her poise remained unshaken. "Well, you see, we were all dining with some friends in Glen Cove. Fortunately, it was Sunday night and Olive and I were free. We passed right by here on the way. You know the rest." She smiled challengingly into his angry eyes. "You must be tired," he said, forcing himself to be courteous. He rose and pulled the crimson bell-rope. "What will you have? Cocktails or whisky and soda?" "Whisky and soda. That'll suit us all right, won't it, children?" They all agreed except Caldenas, who demanded cognac. "That is, if you have it, in this thirst-beridden country?" "I'll bet he has with the rum runners not two miles from his windows!" said Gerald. "I think there is a bottle or two," Alexis smiled almost genially. The Spaniard, under other circumstances, would have been quite endurable. There was something naïvely wise about him that appealed to one. Jules entered and took Alexis' order. A cigarette between her lips, Ellen strolled about the large room. She leaned across a table and sniffed at the red roses. "You do yourself well, Mr. Petrovskey, 'roses in December!' Isn't that the title of a song? Sent by some admirer, I suppose?" "Or did we come in upon a party?" Olive's ingenuous eyes were fixed upon Alexis. "What is this?" exclaimed Ellen before he could reply. She held up the empty jewel case. "Have you been giving yourself presents?" Alexis' hands clenched. His nails bit into the palms savagely. "Not guilty, Miss Barnes. That box must have been left by the former owner. Let me see it." He took the box from Ellen's fingers and pocketed it quietly. The fluffy one danced up to Alexis. "I don't believe him. It's a present from some woman. Show me your wrist, Mr. Petrovskey. I want to see your mascot." He raised his hands and shook them above his head. "Now will you believe me!" "Be careful. Jewelry isn't safe when Olive is around," warned Ellen. "Oh, what wonderful hands you have, Mr. Petrovskey. Are they insured?" Alexis laughed. "Yes, but my temper isn't, Miss Fay." "Ooh! Snubbed!" She pretended to cry.