"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.