They crowded round to congratulate him; first his partner, and then his rivals, and his host and hostess. Montague found that he had suddenly become a person of consequence. Some who had previously taken no notice of him now became aware of his existence; proud society belles condescended to make conversation with him, and Clarrie Mason, who hated de Peyster, made note of a way to annoy him. As for Oliver, he was radiant with delight. “When it came to horses and guns, I knew you’d make good,” he whispered.
Leaving the game to be gathered up in carts, they made their way home, and there the two victors received their prizes. The man’s consisted of a shaving set in a case of solid gold, set with diamonds. Montague was simply stunned, for the thing could not have cost less than one or two thousand dollars. He could not persuade himself that he had a right to accept of such hospitality, which he could never hope to return. He was to realize in time that Robbie lived for the pleasure of thus humiliating his fellow-men.
After luncheon, the party came to an end. Some set out to return as they had come; and others, who had dinner engagements, went back with their host in his private car, leaving their autos to be returned by the chauffeurs. Montague and his brother were among these; and about dusk, when the swarms of working people were pouring out of the city, they crossed the ferry and took a cab to their hotel.
CHAPTER V
They found their apartments looking as if they had been struck by a snowstorm-a storm of red and green and yellow, and all the colours that lie between. All day the wagons of fashionable milliners and costumiers had been stopping at the door, and their contents had found their way to Alice’s room. The floors were ankle-deep in tissue paper and tape, and beds and couches and chairs were covered with boxes, in which lay wonderful symphonies of colour, half disclosed in their wrappings of gauze. In the midst of it all stood the girl, her eyes shining with excitement.
“Oh, Allan!” she cried, as they entered. “How am I ever to thank you?”
“You’re not to thank me,” Montague replied. “This is all Oliver’s doings.”
“Oliver!” exclaimed the girl, and turned to him. “How in the world could you do it?” she cried. “How will you ever get the money to pay for it all?”
“That’s my problem,” said the man, laughing. “All you have to think about is to look beautiful.”
“If I don’t,” was her reply, “it won’t be for lack of clothes. I never saw so many wonderful things in all my life as I’ve seen to-day.”