"Not he," said Lady Malmerstoke placidly. "I'm past the age of wanting that nonsense. Not that I ever wanted it, but I was always unusual. Be off with you!" Philip took James by the arm. "We are summarily dismissed! Come, Jamie, we'll find her handkerchief, and she'll smile again." In the withdrawing-room Cleone was dicing with Sir Deryk. A very unmaidenly proceeding. She had just lost the rose at her breast to Brenderby, and he was trying to undo the pin that held it in place. Failing in that, he grasped the stem firmly, and broke off the bloom. But with the rose he had clutched a thin blue riband from which hung a locket. It snapped, and the trinket rolled on to the floor. Cleone was already overwrought. She sprang up. "Oh, my locket!" And searched wildly on the floor. Surprised at her earnestness, Brenderby went down on his knees, and presently retrieved the locket just as Cleone had seen it. He rose, and was about to present it to her when she clasped agitated hands and demanded that it should be given her at once! This aroused Sir Deryk's curiosity. He withheld it. "Why so anxious, Cleone? What secret does it hide?" "Naught! Oh, give it me, give it me!" Sir Deryk held fast to the trophy. "Not so fast, Cleone! I'll swear there's some mystery here! I've a mind to peep inside!" "I forbid you!" said Cleone. "Sir Deryk--" She controlled herself. "Please give it me!" "And so I will, fairest, but first I must see what is inside!" "Oh, no, no! There's naught! I could not bear you to look! Besides, it's--it's empty. I--oh, give it me!" She stamped angrily. Brenderby's eyes were alight with impish laughter. "I'll make a bargain, sweetest! You shall play me for it." He picked up the dice-box. "If you beat my throw, I will give you the locket unopened. If you lose you shall pay a price for it." "I don't understand! What do you mean?" "You shall kiss me for it. One hard-earned kiss. Come, you must admit my terms are generous!" "I won't! How dare you, sir! And it is _my_ locket! You have no right to it!" "What I find I keep! Come! The odds are equal, and in neither case do I open the locket." "I--I thought you a gentleman!" "So I am, Clo. Were I not--I'd take the price and then the locket. There's no one to see, and no one need know. Cleone--you lovely creature!" Cleone wrung her hands. "I should die of shame! Oh, Sir Deryk, please be kind!" "Why should I be kind when you are not? You'll none of my terms? Very well!" He made as if to open the locket. "No, no, no!" almost shrieked Cleone. "I'll do anything, anything! Only don't open it!" "You'll play me?" Cleone drew a deep breath. "Yes. I will. And I'll never, never, never speak to you again!" He laughed. "Oh, I trust you'll change your mind! Now!" He cast the dice. "Aha! Can you beat that?" Cleone took the box in a firm clasp, and shook it long and violently. Her cheeks were burning, her eyes tight shut. She threw the dice. Brenderby bent over the table. "Alack!"