“Shall I be swallowed up alive, Miss Frome?”

“You think you won't, but you will. He always gets what he wants.”

For all the warmth and energy of youth in her there was a vivid spiritual quality that had always made a deep appeal to James. He sensed the something fine and exquisite she breathed forth and did reverence to it.

“And what does he want now?” the young man parried.

“He wants YOU.”

“Unless you would like him yourself, Alice,” her uncle countered.

The color washed into her cheeks. “Not just now, thank you. I was merely giving him a friendly warning.”

“I'm awfully obliged to you. I'll be on my guard,” laughed James.

He stepped across to the lounge to make his farewell to Mrs. Van Tyle.

“You'll come again,” she said in a low voice.