Then a hand caught at his; and a breathless voice whispered: "Are you going ?" "Yes," he said, dully.
"Why ?" "I've had enough--of the New Year." Breathing fast, the colour in her face coming and going, she stood, vivid lips parted, regarding him.

Then, in a low voice: "I didn't know you were to be here, Louis." "Nor I.It was an accident." "Who was the--girl--" "What girl ?" "She stood behind you with her hands on your shoulders." "How the devil do I know," he said, savagely--"her name's Mazie--something--or--other." "Did you bring her ?" "Yes.

Did Querida bring _you_ ?" he asked, insolently.
[Illustration: "And the last rose dropped from her hand."] She looked at him in a confused, bewildered way--laid her hand on his sleeve with an impulse as though he had been about to strike her.
He no longer knew what he was doing in the sudden surge of unreasoning anger that possessed him; he shook her hand from his sleeve and turned.
And the next moment, on the stairs, she was beside him again, slender, pale, close to his shoulder, descending the great staircase beside him, one white-gloved hand resting lightly within his arm.
Neither spoke.

At the cloak-room she turned and looked at him--stood a moment slowly tearing the orchids from her breast and dropping the crushed petals underfoot.
A maid brought her fur coat--his gift; a page brought his own coat and hat.
"Will you call a cab ?" He turned and spoke to the porter.

Then they waited, side by side, in silence.
When the taxicab arrived he turned to give the porter her address, but she had forestalled him.