Helen's face brightened. It was the first cheerful remark he had made. "That's what I think. You must forget what you have gone through. After all it's not so bad, but it might be a lot worse. Mr. Parker will feel badly about the stones, of course, because he had counted on making capital out of the advertising they would receive. But who knows? Perhaps it's all for the best. They may find other stones even more valuable." A sudden knock at the door interrupted them. "Come in," called out Helen. The maid appeared. "Mr. Parker is downstairs, m'm." "Good gracious! Here already for dinner. What time is it?" "Seven o'clock, m'm." "All right. I'll be down immediately." The girl went away and Helen turned to her companion. "Now, hurry, dear, won't you? Dinner is ready. The guests are arriving. Dress quickly and come down." He still held her hand. "You're not angry with me?" he whispered. "Why should I be angry?" "Because of the diamonds." "No, indeed--it was you I wanted, not the diamonds." Drawing her to him, he kissed her. But her lips were cold. There was no response to his ardor. She could not herself have explained why. She felt no inclination to respond to his caresses, which at any other time she would have returned with warmth. With a slight shade of impatience she broke away. "We have no time for that now, Kenneth. Our guests are waiting." "That's right," he replied, with a smile that did not escape her. "We've no time now. But the night is still before us." "Will you come soon?" "Yes--I'll be right down." CHAPTER XIV Once more the Traynor residence was filled with the sounds of mirth and revelry. From cellar to attic the old mansion was ablaze with light. The large dining-room, decorated with flowers and plants, wore a festive air, and the long table in the center literally groaned under its burden of fine linen, crystal, and silver. The dinner, now drawing to a close, had been a huge success in every way, and, with the serving of the _demi-tasse_, the guests sat back in their chairs, feeling that sense of gluttony satisfied which only a perfect dinner can impart. The rarest wines, the richest foods--Helen had spared no expense to make the affair worthy the occasion.