about it all.  He got back to Hammon’s house ahead of the doctor, and nobody suspects the truth.  But the Street is in chaos, and all of Hammon’s companies are feeling the strain.  The shorts are running to cover, and there’s a report that it was suicide, which makes things worse.  It couldn’t have happened at a more inopportune time, either.  Dad’s on his way from Pittsburg to help save Merkle’s bank.”

“Shouldn’t you have been at business on such a day?”

Bob shrugged carelessly.  “I’m only a ‘joke’ broker.  The governor thinks a firm-name looks well on my cards.  I hope he doesn’t lose more than a million in this flurry—­it won’t improve his disposition.  But—­wait till he learns I’ve married a girl who can fry things—­By the way—­” Bob paused.  “I invited a friend to dine with us tonight.”

Lorelei was less dismayed than he had expected.  “So have I,” she said.

“I thought it might be pleasanter for you,” he explained, a bit awkwardly, “inasmuch as we’re not very well—­acquainted.  I saw before I went out that you were—­er—­embarrassed—­and—­and—­” He flushed boyishly, scarcely conscious of the delicacy that had prompted his action.  “Anyhow, he’s gone home to put on a clean sweater.”

“You don’t mean you asked—?”

“Campbell Pope; yes.  I met him, and he looked hungry.  He’s coming here at six.”  For almost the first time in Bob’s society Lorelei laughed out clearly.

“And I asked Adoree Demorest,” she said.

Bob grinned and then laughed with her.  “Fine!” he cried.  “Both members of this club.  Really, this ought to make the best finish fight seen in New York for many a day.”

“I don’t care,” Lorelei said, stubbornly.  “Adoree is the most misjudged person in America, and Pope ought to know the truth.”

As she flitted back and forth preparing dinner Bob kept up a ceaseless chatter that did much to lessen their constraint.  She was conscious through it all of his admiration, but it still seemed to be the admiration of a stranger, not of a husband; never for one moment had either of them felt the binding force of their new relationship; never had they been farther apart than now.

Adoree’s surprise at finding Robert Wharton in her friend’s apartment was intense, and when she learned the truth she was for once in her life speechless.  She could only stare from one to the other, wavering between consternation and delight.  Finally she sat down limply.

“I—­I’d have brought a present if I’d known,” she managed to say.

“Are you going to wish us luck?” Bob inquired.

“Luck!  You’ve both got it.  She’s the best girl in the world, and you’re—­” Adoree hesitated, and continued to stare, round-eyed.  “I didn’t think you’d—­I didn’t think she’d—­I don’t know what I thought or didn’t think.  But—­Jimminy!  Married!” When Lorelei led her into the bedroom to lay off her wraps the thunderstruck young woman had more nearly recovered herself.  “Why, he’s worth millions,” she exclaimed, in a whisper—­“Billions!  I don’t know how to talk to him—­or you, for that matter.  Shall I call you ’my Lady’ or ‘your Honor,’ or—­”