“Business in August!” Nora commented. “I’m glad you didn’t,” her hostess observed. “We were disgraced by having in our merry party a smuggler who was caught with the goods and narrowly escaped Sing Sing.” “There you go again,” Monty grumbled. “I hate the very sound of the word.” “I say, Ethel,” Michael observed, watching her closely, “you do look a bit pale. Business in weather like this doesn’t suit you. No bad news, I hope?” He knew that the division of the late Vernon Cartwright’s fortune was very disappointing and might narrow the girls’ income considerably. “It turned out all right, thank you,” the girl answered nervously. “How’s Amy?” Mr. Harrington asked. He was fond of the Cartwrights and had known them from childhood. “Why isn’t she here?” “It isn’t to be a big party, Michael,” his wife reminded him. “Men are so scarce in August I didn’t ask Amy. She’s all right, I hope, Ethel?” “Yes, thanks,” Miss Cartwright answered. “I wonder where Steve is?” Monty said for the fifth time. “He ought to have that tire fixed by now.” “I hope he hasn’t smashed up,” said Alice. “So do I,” Michael retorted. “It was a mighty good car--almost new--and I left a silver pocket-flask in it, I remember.” “Is someone else coming?” Ethel Cartwright asked. “A perfectly charming man, a Steven Denby.” “Steven Denby?” Miss Cartwright cried, her face lighting up. “Really?” “Do you know him then?” Mrs. Harrington asked. “Indeed I do,” she answered. “What, you know Steve?” Monty asked in surprise. “Tell us about him,” Nora besought her. “Yes, who is he?” Michael wanted to know. “Alice has been trying to rouse me to the depths of my jealous nature about him!” “Isn’t he fascinating?” Alice observed. “I can only tell you all,” Ethel Cartwright declared, “that I know him. I met him in Paris a year ago.” “Didn’t you like him?” Alice inquired. “I did, very much,” the girl said frankly. Nora spoke in a disappointed manner. “Well, he’s evidently yours for this week-end.” “I daresay he won’t even remember me,” the other girl returned. “Oh, I bet he will,” said Nora, who was able to give Ethel credit for her charm and beauty. “I shall just have to stick around with Monty--a wild tempestuous flirt like Monty!” “Oh, I don’t mind,” Monty said with an air of condescension, “not particularly.” “It’s time to dress, good people,” Michael reminded them. “Come on, Nora,” Alice said rising. “Come, Monty. Ethel, you’ll have to amuse yourself, as Michael isn’t to be depended on.” “You wrong me, my dear,” Michael retorted. “I’m going for my one solitary cocktail and then I’ll be back.” “And only one, remember,” Alice warned him. “You know me, my dear,” he said, “when I say one.” “You sometimes mean only one at a time,” she laughed. “You are still the same consistent old Michael. And by the way, if Mr. Denby does happen to turn up, tell him we’ll be down soon.” “I’ll send him in to Ethel if he comes.” “Yes, please do,” the girl said brightly.