He thrust out an enormous bouquet of orchids, which, in his fear of appearing parsimonious, he had doubled beyond all reason. The sight of these flowers of luxury, the price of which would have gone a long way toward placating Miss Pim, brought a quick telegraphic glance of irony between the two girls. "Isn't he a darling?" said Doré, taking the huge floral display and stealing a glance at the ribbon, which, alas, did not bear the legend Pouffé, who was approachable in time of need. "Stacey is really the most thoughtful boy, and everything he gets is in perfect taste. He never does anything by halves!" As she said this in a careless manner, which made the young fellow redden to the ears with delight, she was secretly smothering a desire to laugh, and wondering how on earth she was to divide the monstrous display without discouraging future exhibitions of lavishness. She moved presently toward the back of the room, saying carelessly: "Look at my last photographs, Stacey." Then she quickly slipped a third of the bouquet behind a trunk, signaling Winona, and turning before the long mirror, affixed the orchids, spreading them loosely to conceal the defection. "Quarter of. You'll be late!" said Winona, masking the trunk with her skirts. "I want to be! I'm not going to have a lot of society women find me on the door-step!" said Doré, for the benefit of the prop. "Come on, Stacey; you can look at the photos another day!" She flung about her shoulders a white stole from the floor below, and buried her hands in a muff of the same provenance. "Good-by, dear. Back late. Go ahead, Stacey!" A moment later she reentered hurriedly. "Give me the others, quick!" she said, detaching those at her waist. "These are from Granard's. Take them there--tell them Estelle sent you; she has an arrangement with them. See what you can get. Tell them we'll send 'em custom." She completed the transfer of the smaller bunch, carefully arranging the wide stole, which she pinned against accidents. "Listen. If Joe telephones again, make him call me up at six--don't say I said it! It's possible Blainey may get it in his head to call up. I'll go with him, unless--unless Peavey wants me for dinner. I must see him before I dispose of the champagne--understand? You know what to answer the rest." She hesitated, looking at the orchids: "We ought to get fifteen out of them. Remember, promise them our custom; use Pouffé on them. Good-by, dear!" "Be careful!" "Yes--yes--yes!" "Dangerous!" "Bah! If they only were--but they're not!" She rejoined Stacey, whose nose was sublimely at the wheel, crying: "Let her go, Stacey. Up to Tenafly's. Break the speed law!" She started to spring in, but suddenly remembering the offending stocking, stopped and ascended quietly--on the left foot. CHAPTER II