"Well," replied Tod, his chest inflated with self-importance, "I've had a little experience with women. But I didn't promise to tell you the truth about that. I said to Jimmy and Cooley: Kindness--that's the idea--kindness. Don't jerk at her mouth. Hold the rein loose. Treat women and horses alike. Women and horses--the noblest creatures in God's creation. Leave her to me, I said--you see I wanted to get well acquainted with you--I'm interested--really I am." "Indeed!" laughed Paula satirically. "I ought to feel quite complimented." Tod broke out into a hearty laugh. Pointing gleefully at his hostess, he cried: "Ha! ha! The ice is cracking. Miss Marsh--I warn you--you're warming up!" Paula was about to make retort when the door opened and Harry Parkes appeared. He nodded stiffly to Tod and approached the lawyer. "Mr. Ricaby," he said, "your office is calling you on the telephone." The lawyer immediately excused himself and hurried out of the room. There was an awkward silence. Tod looked at Harry and the latter looked at Tod. Both rivals for the lady's good graces, neither seemed disposed to leave the field free for the other. "Well--I suppose I'd better go----" growled Tod finally. Holding out his hand to Paula, he said: "May I report progress?" Seeing her smile and thinking he might be able to get the best of the other fellow after all, he went on: "My car is downstairs. Won't you come down and look it over?" "Thank you, so----" she replied. "Just a spin round the park," he pleaded. "I can do it in fifteen minutes. It's all right, you know. The speed limit don't go with me at all--I know all the policemen. You see Jimmy is running strong with the chief--and whatever we say, goes." Paula laughed merrily. "I'm afraid I can't accept your invitation, even with the special inducement of being able to break the law with impunity." "Sorry. Well, good-bye--I'm off." His manner lost its flippancy, and there was genuine feeling in his voice as he added: "Good-bye, Miss Marsh. Whatever happens I'm really and truly glad I had this chat with you, but I'm afraid I did most of the talking. Good-bye." "Good-bye, Mr. Chase," she said, extending her hand. The door closed and Paula returned slowly to the table. "A curious boy," she murmured, more to herself than to her companion. "I rather like him." "Do you?" exclaimed Harry blankly, looking at her over his gold eyeglasses. Awkwardly he went on: "I'm glad he's gone. I wanted to say something to you. Miss Marsh--I--I've thought it all over----" Paula resumed her seat and took up a book. "Now, Harry," she laughed, "you're going to propose again. I can see it in your face. Please don't. There's a good boy." "I was only going to say," he stammered, "that the name of Parkes is at your disposal." "That's very kind, but----" "Fifteen hundred a year--no encumbrances--unlimited prospects----" She looked up at him, much amused.