missing here. The perfect specimens stood stiffly
in their places, there was no sign of occupation, not so much as a book
lying upon a chair.

The first impression was undoubtedly disappointing, but presently the
door opened, and Claudia herself appeared on the threshold, and ran
forward, impulsive, loving, and unaffected as in the days of her
obscurity.

"Meriel! Oh, Meriel! It _is_ ripping to see you again, you dear, nice
old thing! I'm ever so pleased you could come. I don't often have
visitors. I'm bored with visitors, but I wanted you. And you look just
the same; not a bit older. I always did say you had the sweetest eyes
in the world--_and_ the ugliest hats! Meriel darling, I shall take you
at once to my milliner's."

"No good, my dear, I've no money to spend. Besides, what's the use of
worrying about clothes while I'm with you? I'm bound to look the
veriest frump in comparison, so why worry any more? We are not all the
wives of millionaires."

"No! Isn't it a pity? I do wish you were. Sit down, dear, and we'll
have tea."

Claudia touched the electric bell and seated herself on a sofa a little
to the left of her friend's chair, looking towards her with a smile in
which complacency was tinged with a touch of anxiety.

"How do I look?"

Meriel looked, laughed, and waved her hands in the air with a gesture
meant to convey the inadequacy of words.

"A vision! A dream. Snow white. Rose red. A fairy princess. A
diamond queen. Quite unnecessarily and selfishly beautiful, my dear,
and as sleek as a well-stroked cat! Really, Claudia, you've eclipsed
yourself!"

"Oh, have I? You think so really? Honestly, you think so? Meriel, you
_are_ a dear; I do love you!" cried Claudia, and Meriel noticed with
amazement that there was unfeigned relief in her voice. It was a new
development for Claudia to show any uncertainty concerning her own
charms!

Throughout the meal which followed Meriel was absorbed in admiration of
the beautiful creature who sat beside her; her unaccustomed eyes dwelt
with something like awe upon the costly intricacies of her attire, the
limpid purity of the gems which glittered on the white hands. Claudia's
clothing expressed the last word in smartness, but she had not been
infected by the modern craze for powder and rouge. The beauty of her
face and hair were due to nature alone, but, despite the warmth, of her
friend's admiration, she herself seemed to feel some unc