UNDER FIRE Meanwhile Constance dressed hastily, abetted by the clever maid; for Wayward was below, invited to dine with them.

Malcourt also was due for dinner, and, as usual, late.
In fact, he was at that moment leisurely tying his white neckwear in his bed-chamber at Villa Cardross.

And sometimes he whistled, tentatively, as though absorbed in mentally following an elusive air; sometimes he resumed a lighted cigarette which lay across the gilded stomach of a Chinese joss, sending a thin, high thread of smoke to the ceiling.

He had begun his collection with one small idol; there were now nineteen, and all hideous.
"The deuce! the deuce!" he murmured, rejecting the tie and trying another one; "and all the things I've got to do this blessed night!...
Console the afflicted--three of them; dine with one, get to "The Breakers" and spoon with another--get to the Club and sup with another!--the deuce! the deuce! the--" He hummed a bar or two of a new waltz, took a puff at his cigarette, winked affably at the idol, put on his coat, and without a second glance at the glass went out whistling a lively tune.
Hamil, dressed for dinner, but looking rather worn and fatigued, passed him in the hall.
"You've evidently had a hard day," said Malcourt; "you resemble the last run of sea-weed.

Is everybody dining at this hour ?" "I dined early with Mrs.Cardross.