A fragrance of roses came to him with the touch of it, and for an instant he caught it up to his face.

The sweetness seemed to intoxicate him.
There came a light, inconsequent laugh; sharply he turned.

She had opened the window of his smoking-den and was standing in the entrance with impudent merriment in her eyes.

There was triumph also in her pose--a triumph that sent a swirl of hot passion through him.

He flung aside the cloak and strode towards her.
But she was gone on the instant, gone with a tinkle of maddening laughter.