She had escaped the suspicion, if not the censure, of the world--or so she thought; and in the main she was right.

But she was now embarked on an enterprise which never would have been begun, if she had not gambled with her heart and soul three years ago; if she had not dragged away the veil from her inner self, putting her at the mercy of one who could say, "I know you--what you are." Just before they went to the dining-room Byng came in and cheerily greeted Stafford, apologizing for having forgotten his engagement to dine with Wallstein.
"But you and Jasmine will have much to talk about," he said--"such old friends as you are; and fond of books and art and music and all that kind of thing....

Glad to see you looking so well, Stafford," he continued.

"They say you are the coming man.

Well, au revoir.