ils. There's this ball coming on next week, and I am to be the
Ice Queen. I _must_ get my face better before then! I've got the most
wonderful dress. He planned it for me. He is determined there shall be
nothing to touch it in the room. Goodness knows the amount he has spent
upon it! I simply daren't look anything but my best!"

"My dear Claudia!" Meriel's voice was full of protest. "What nonsense
you talk! You are very beautiful, my dear, but you can't expect an
eternal perfection! You must have your ups and downs like other people,
and grow old in your turn, and lose your hair and complexion, and grow
withered and toothless!"

Claudia leaped to her feet with a gesture which was almost fierce in its
intensity.

"Be quiet!" she cried. "Be quiet! Don't dare to speak of it. I'm
young still; not twenty-seven. I've ages and ages ahead before I need
think of growing old. And women don't lose their beauty nowadays. They
know how to keep it. They _have_ to keep it! And I--I more than
anyone!"

She crossed the room to her dressing-table, and, switching on an extra
electric light, bent low to examine her face in the glass.

"It's only a slight rash, Meriel; _but it won't go_! I--I don't know
what to do about it. I'm worried to death. Do help me. Do advise. Do
tell me what to do."

It was the first time that Claudia's friend had ever heard her appeal
for help, and there was a thrill in her voice which could not be denied.

"My dear girl," she said quickly, "I'm no good at cosmetics. My
complexion has to take its chance, and nobody cares whether it's good or
bad. But if you are specially anxious to look your best at this ball,
why waste time in experiments? A few guineas more or less is nothing to
you. Go to-morrow to consult the first skin specialist in London."

Claudia looked at her, a long, thoughtful look. She began to speak and
checked herself, subduing as it were a bidden fear. Then she nodded
slowly, once and again.

"I will!" she said firmly. "I will. It's folly putting it off. I'll
telephone at once, and make an appointment."

The examination was over. A longer and more exhaustive examination than
seemed necessary for so slight a cause. The specialist stood
hesitating, his face puckered in thought.

Claudia smiled at him with her most dazzling smile.

"You think you can make me quite better for the ball?"

He looked at her swiftly, and as swiftly looked away.

"That is