"Will you tell me one thing--just one?" she persisted. "Has Royster & Axtell's failure anything to do with it?"
"Yes--it has!" he said, after a moment's hesitation.
"And is it true that you are seriously embarrassed--have lost most of your fortune?"
"It was to be just one question!" he smiled.
They danced half the length of the room before he replied. He would tell her. She, alone, deserved to know--and, if she cared, would understand.
"I have lost most of my fortune!" he admitted. "I am not, however, in the least embarrassed--I have no debts."
"And is it 'business,' which keeps you?--will you ever come back to Northumberland?"
"Yes, it is business that keeps me--important business. Whether or not I shall return to Northumberland, depends on the outcome of that business."
"Why did you leave without a word of farewell to your friends?" she persisted.
"Was that unusual?" said Croyden. "Has any of my friends cared--sincerely cared? Has any one so much as inquired for me?"
"They thought you were called to Europe, suddenly," she replied.
"For which thinking you were responsible, Elaine."
"It was because of the failure," she said. "You were the largest creditor--you disappeared--there were queries and rumors--and I thought it best to tell. I hope I did no harm."
"On the contrary," he said, "I am very, very grateful to know that some one thought of me."
The music stopped. It was just in time. Another moment, and he might have said what he knew was folly. Her body close to his, his arm around her, the splendor of her bared shoulders, the perfume of her hair, the glory of her face, were overcoming him, were intoxicating his senses, were drugging him into non-resistance. The spell was broken not an instant too soon. He shook himself--like a man rousing from dead sleep--and took her back to their party.
The next instant, as she was whirled away by another, she shot him an alluringly fascinating smile, of intimate camaraderie, of understanding, which well-nigh put him to sleep again.
"I would that I might get such a smile," sighed Macloud.
"You go to the devil!" said Croyden. "She has the same smile for all her friends, so don't be silly."
"Moreover, if it's a different smile, the field is open. I'm scratched, you know."