"Joe," she whispered, "is it really you?"
"Yes, Gertrude," he said sadly. "I am overjoyed at seeing you, yet I want to sink into the earth."
Her feminine tact came to the rescue. "Oh, don't let us begin to weep about the past the very moment we meet," she said, with well-assumed lightness. "We are both alive, anyhow, and that is something to be thankful for."
"Is it?" muttered her downcast lover. "I wonder!"
By this time, Moretti had not seen the deeply interested talk between the two. He frowned. John's careless remark had enlightened him as to Drake's position. Smothering his annoyance, he called Gertrude, introduced her to her partner and succeeded in giving her a significant nudge.
Drake effaced himself as his employer whirled away in the dance. He went out, and to his surprise, found that he was frankly delighted at having encountered flertrude. He was walking down the street, holding his head high and indulging in day dreams, when that same doubtful-looking person who had noticed his departure in the car met him face to face.
Drake would have passed, but the other stepped deliberately in front of him and greeted him effusively. Clearly, the secretary was startled. He ignored the outstretched hand, and tried to pass on with a casual nod. But this disreputable acquaintance grabbed him by the arm, and a hoarse voice murmured in  His ear:
"Sink me, Joe, if I ain't tickled to death to find an old pal so well fixed." 