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attention fixed upon the conversation between Mrs. Ford and Rhoda in the drawing-room.

Stephanie was evidently giving a dancing lesson.

“Oh, no one does that step now,” Ann heard her say; and there was discussion and laughter.

Then the telephone bell summonded Ford to the hall, and after a blurred sound of conversation between him and some one at the other end of the wire, he entered the drawing-room.

“No good starting bridge,” he said. “Waring’s coming out. He wants to see me on business. He’s leaving for Wellington tomorrow. Going down about this Government offer.”

It was the first time for a considerable period that Ann had looked forward with any pleasure to the advent of Waring; but when, after about a quarter of an hour, he arrived, she felt that he was a very present help in time of trouble, and she gave him a warmer smile than usual.

Apparently his business with Ford was soon disposed of, for he left his host, and appeared again in the drawing-room within a very short space of time. The gramophone was still going, and Stephanie and her partner still dancing on the veranda. Waring suggested to Rhoda that he and she should join them; but Mrs. Hemingway shook her head.

“There’s Miss Merrill. She’s younger and more energetic than I am.”

“What about it, Miss Merrill?”

Ann rose at once. “I’m almost hurling myself into his arms,” she thought, but at that moment she did not care. They danced for a time, and then sat down in two chairs outside the billiard-room window. Stephanie was called to the telephone, and Rodney