company--occasionally?" She drew nearer, stood at the corner of the
desk. Into her exquisite eyes came a look of tenderness. "And I shall be
glad to see you."

"You mean that?" he said, despising himself for his humble eagerness,
and hating her even as he loved her.

"Indeed I do." She smiled bewitchingly. "You are a lot better man than
you think."

"I am an awful fool about you," retorted he. "You see, I play my game
with all my cards on the table. I wish I could say the same of you."

"I am not playing a game," replied she. "You make a mystery where there
isn't any. And--all your cards aren't on the table." She laughed
mockingly. "At least, you think there's one that isn't--though, really,
it is."

"Yes?"

"About your engagement."

He covered superbly. "Oh," said he in the most indifferent tone. "Tetlow
told you."

"As soon as I heard that," she went on, "I felt better about you. I
understand how it is with men--the passing fancies they have for
women."

"How did you learn?" demanded he.