Laura seemed enjoying herself, her eyes brimming with amusement over both her victims.

But at last she had compassion, kissed her father gaily and took her suitor out of the room.
Soon Roger heard them leave the house.

He went into his study, savagely bit off a cigar and gripped his evening paper as though he meant to choke it.
The maid came in with coffee.

"Coffee?
No!" he snapped at her.

A few moments later he came to his senses and found himself smoking fast and hard.