Once more she tore herself loose and sprang away--made a step--then stopped and faced him. He had risen and was moving slowly after, a mocking smile on his lips. "You will please take me back to the ball-room," she commanded. "I am not minded to provoke comment by returning alone." "I am always your most obedient servant," he replied, with a bow and another smile. In silence they passed from the conservatory and into the ball-room a little way. There she dropped his arm. "You will do me the favor of never speaking to me again," she said--and left him. "Spirit!" he muttered, as he turned away. "Spirit--or a damn good player! I don't know which." He gave an admiring chuckle. "God! what a looker she is!" XVI THE UNANIMOUS OPINION Lorraine did not come out of the Hospital in a week. It was two weeks before he quit it, and three weeks until he was able to leave his house and go down town and to the Clubs. He found a hearty welcome awaiting him from everyone; even those whom he knew but slightly shook his hand and congratulated him on his recovery. Some of the men had dropped in at intervals--Cameron the most frequently, but Pendleton not at all--though they all were too busy to do more than inquire, and then forget him in the rush of affairs and Society. He heard occasionally of Stephanie--read in the Society news of her being at the Burlestons' and the Tazewells' and the Chamberlains', and others of her old friends who were loyal. Pendleton's name always was included; and once or twice he had noticed Porshinger's--with a frown. What was _he_ doing there--how did _he_ come to be included? He had intended to ask Cameron--but every time he had forgotten it until Cameron had gone. The truth of the matter lay in the Chamberlain invitation. Porshinger had seen to it that that fact was promptly noted in all the papers, and Society--at first a bit gasping and incredulous--had been more or less quick to follow suit. If the Chamberlains were taking him up, who else could refuse? So Miss Tazewell's fear was verified--as was Miss Chamberlain's prediction--that it was only a question of being first. True, neither Mrs. Porterfield nor Mrs. Postlewaite had given him the light of her countenance, but that would come in time--a reasonably short time. Just as soon as they were assured of his desirability, he would be formally viséd by them--and his social career would be easy henceforth. It was the afternoon of the day after the Croyden dance that Lorraine first got up to the Otranto Club, and had his curiosity gratified--at least as to the reasons for Porshinger's inclusion. He found Warwick Devereux absorbing a long, cold drink on the side piazza, and was hailed to participate. "Mighty glad to see you around," said Devereux. "Must be a month since your accident." "I'm mighty glad to get around," Lorraine replied. "What have you been doing while I was in a hospital?"