Alice went back to the hotel, for Mrs. Robbie Walling was to call
and take her home to lunch; and Montague and his brother strolled
round to Reggie Mann's apartments, to report upon their visit.

Reggie received them in a pair of pink silk pyjamas, decorated with
ribbons and bows, and with silk-embroidered slippers, set with
pearls--a present from a feminine adorer. Montague noticed, to his
dismay, that the little man wore a gold bracelet upon one arm! He
explained that he had led a cotillion the night before--or rather
this morning; he had got home at five o'clock. He looked quite white
and tired, and there were the remains of a breakfast of
brandy-and-soda on the table.

"Did you see the old girl?" he asked. "And how does she hold up?"

"She's game," said Oliver.

"I had the devil's own time getting you in," said the other. "It's
getting harder every day."

"You'll excuse me," Reggie added, "if I get ready. I have an
engagement." And he turned to his dressing-table, which was covered
with an array of cosmetics and perfumes, and proceeded, in a
matter-of-fact way, to paint his face. Meanwhile his valet was
flitting silently here and there, getting ready his afternoon
costume; and Montague, in spite of himself, followed the man with
his eyes. A haberdasher's shop might have been kept going for quite
a while upon the contents of Reggie's dressers. His clothing was
kept in a room adjoining the dressing-room; Montague, who was near
the door, could see the rosewood wardrobes, each devoted to a