"Have you told Parkins I want to know the very instant Mr. John
comes in?"
"Yes, miss."
"And, Hortense, did you understand that Mr. John was to go out to
meet the gentleman, or was the gentleman to come to his rooms?"
"To his rooms, I think, miss."
She was wearing her blue tea-gown, stretched out on the cushions
of one of the big divans in the silent drawing-room, when she
heard Jack's night-key touch the lock. Springing to her feet she
ran toward him.
"Why, Jack, what's this I hear about your not coming to my dance?
It isn't true, is it?" She was close to him now, her little head
cocked on one side, her thin, silken draperies dripping about her
slender figure.
"Who told you?"
"Parkins told Hortense."
"Leaky Parkins?" laughed Jack, tossing his hat on the hall table.
"But you are coming, aren't you, Jack? Please do!"
"Not to-night; you don't need me, Corinne." His voice told her at
once that not only was the leash gone but that the collar was off
as well.
"Yes, but I do."
"Then please excuse me, for I have an old gentleman coming to pay
me a visit.
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