“Say but the word, and Mr. Farnum will pardon you,” coaxed the charming young Woman.

“I couldn’t even think of that,” replied Benson.  “It is business to go with one’s employer.”

“Business?” repeated Mlle. Nadiboff, with an accent half of disdain.  “Surely, you are not sufficiently a petty shop-keeper or serf to think always of that word, ‘business!’”

“I fear I am,” Jack nodded.

“Bah!  Then you will never be a success with the ladies,” taunted Mlle. Nadiboff, though her eyes were laughing, challenging.

“Of course, I’m only a green country boy,” Jack replied, with admirable coolness, and without any tone of offence.  “So my highest ambition is to be a success in the submarine business.”

The young woman had tact enough to perceive that she had not quite scored by her contempt for business.  She was about to change subject adroitly, when Mr. Farnum called, laughingly: 

“Are you coming with us, captain?  Or, have you found pleasanter company for a drive?”

Jack’s hand started toward his uniform cap.  He was about to excuse himself, when the young woman answered for him: 

“He was just assuring me, Mr. Farnum, that he would gladly go with me, but that you had the right of prior engagement.”

“Oh, I’ll release, him,” volunteered Mr. Farnum, his eyes twinkling.

“Now, my Captain, you can no longer find excuse, unless you truly prefer other company to mine.”

Though Jack was interested in the vivacious manner of Mlle. Nadiboff, he had not yet lost his head under any of her flatteries.  He was secretly irritated against Mr. Farnum for letting him off so easily.  So Jack swiftly determined upon his own plan of evening matters.

“The way the affair has turned out, Mademoiselle, I shall be delighted to go in your cars.  Yet I am going to ask one every great favor.”

“A thousand, if you wish!” cried the young woman spy, graciously.

“Will you permit me to invite my chum, Mr. Hastings?”

“Assuredly,” she replied, with a very pretty pout, “if you feel that you will find my company, alone, too dull.”

“It isn’t that,” Jack replied, with ready gallantry.  “I am anxious to have Hastings share my rare good fortune.”

Then raising his voice he called: 

“Hal, Mlle. Nadiboff desires me to invite you to come, too.”

Young Hastings was quick-witted enough to understand that this was all but a command from his chum.  So he hastily left Mr. Farnum, stepping over to join the other party.  Mlle. Nadiboff’s little booted right foot tapped the flooring of the veranda impatiently, but that was the only sign of displeasure she gave.  Her eyes were as laughing and as gracious as ever.  She extended her hand to Hal, who bowed low over it in knightly style—­a trick he had caught from his observation of naval officers.