"Certainly," said Lacy, airily; "we're all at Mrs. Leeds's feet! Even the blind bat of Drumgool could see that! So why deny it?" "You're not denying it, Mr. Lacy," said Strelsa, laughing. "But I realise perfectly that I am in the Irish Legation. So I shall carefully salt everything you say to me." "If you think _I've_ kissed the blessed pebble you ought to listen to that other bankrupt upstairs," said Lacy. "As far as pretty speeches are concerned you seem to be perfectly solvent," said Strelsa gaily, looking around her at the various adornments of this masculine abode. "I wonder where you dine," she added with curiosity unabashed. "We've a fine dining-room below," he said proudly, "haven't we, Roger? And as soon as Dick Quarren and I are sufficiently solvent to warrant it, the Legation is going to give a series of brilliant banquets; will you come, Mrs. Leeds?" "When you are solvent, perhaps," said Strelsa, smiling. "Westguard and I will give you a banquet at an hour's notice," said O'Hara, eagerly. "Will you accept?" "Such overwhelming offers of hospitality!" she protested. "I had believed the contrary about New Yorkers. You see I've just emerged from the West, and I don't really know what to think of such bewildering cordiality." "Karl," said Mrs. Wycherly, "are you going to show us over the house? If you are we must hurry, as Strelsa and I are to decorate the Calderas' box this evening, and it takes me an hour to paint my face." She turned a fresh, winsome countenance to Westguard, who laughed, rose, and took his pretty cousin by the hand. Under triple escort Mrs. Wycherly and Mrs. Leeds examined the Legation from kitchen to garret--and Strelsa, inadvertently glancing in at a room just as Westguard started to close the door, caught sight of a recumbent shape on a bed--just a glimpse of a blond, symmetrical head and a well-coupled figure, graceful even in the careless relaxation of sleep. Westguard asked her pardon: "That's Quarren. He was probably up till daylight." "He was," said Molly Wycherly; "and by the same token so was I. Thank you so much, Karl.... Thank you, Mr. O'Hara--and you, too, Jack!"--offering her hand--"We've had a splendid party.... Strelsa, we really ought to go at once----" "Will you come again?" "We will come again if you ask us," said Strelsa; "we're perfectly fascinated by the Legation." "And its personnel?" hinted Lacy. "Do you like us, Mrs. Leeds?" "I've only seen three of you," parried Strelsa, much amused. "We refuse to commit ourselves," said Molly. "Good-bye. I suppose you all are coming to my house-warming." They all looked at Mrs. Leeds and said that they were coming--said so fervently. Molly laughed: she had no envy in her make-up, perhaps because she was too pretty herself.