the sky-blue water; another about an Irish Kathleen who
gave her lover to strike a blow for the Green; and still another
concerned a girl who would rather lie in the dust of her lord's chariot
than be the ecstasy of lesser man. Beth Truba's face was upturned to
the light--to the last pallor of day. She was like a wraith singing and
communing with the tuneful tragedies of women world-wide. But there was
gaiety in her heart.... Then the knocker, the scurrying of dreams away,
and the voice of Marguerite Grey in the dark.

"Most romantic--song, hour and all," she said, while Beth turned on the
lamps.

"Beth Truba is naturally so romantic----"

"Possibly the piano could tell tales; I know my 'cello could," said the
Grey One. "Beth, dear, I am touching wood, and praying to preserve 'an
humble and a contrite heart,' but reeking with commerce. Sold three
pictures--real pictures. The one that was hanging at Torvin's so long
was sold four days ago, and Torvin immediately took two more----"

"Margie Grey, there are few things you could tell to make me happier,"
Beth exclaimed, coming forward with both hands out.

"I know it. That's why I came."

"With Torvin interested, anything is liable to happen. He's one of the
few in New York who know, and those who buy carefully know he knows.
Really we should celebrate.... Let's get Vina to go with us, and we
three set out in search of an absurd supper----"

Beth phoned at once. Her part was utterly disconnected. She put up the
receiver, smiling.

"What have you to say--about those two going out to dinner?"

"Vina and David Cairns?"

"Exactly."

A long, low talk followed, but Beth did not tell that she had spurred
David to look deeply into Vina's case, through a remark made by Andrew
Bedient.... The Grey One was emancipated, restless. She bloomed like a
lily as she moved about the studio, above the shaded reading-lamps.
Beth felt her happiness, the intensity of it, and rejoiced with her.
Bedient came in for discussion presently, and the park episode. Beth,
who had not heard, grew cold, and remembered her own call at Mrs.
Wordling's apartment, with the poster.... The Grey One was speaking as
if Beth had heard about the later park affair:

"... Sometimes that woman seems so obvious, and again so deep."

"I have failed to see the deep part," Beth ventured, turning her face
from the light.

"Evidently she interests Mr. Bedient."

"I wonder if she really does?" Beth said idly