"Are you by any chance free to-morrow night to dine with us--quite, quite en famille' Rudyard will be glad to see you--and hear you," she added, teasingly.
He was amused.

He felt how much he had really piqued her and provoked her by showing her so plainly that she had lost every vestige of the ancient power over him; and he saw no reason why he should not spend an evening where she sparkled.
"I am free, and will come with pleasure," he replied.
"That is delightful," she rejoined, "and please bring a box of bons mots with you.

But you will come, then-- ?" She was going to add, "Ian," but she paused.
"Yes, I'll come--Jasmine," he answered, coolly, having read her hesitation aright.
She flushed, was embarrassed and piqued, but with a smile and a nod she left him.
In her carriage, however, her breath came quick and fast, her tiny hand clenched, her face flushed, and there was a devastating fire in her eyes.
"He shall not treat me so.

He shall show some feeling.

He shall--he shall--he shall!" she gasped, angrily..