al. Lay for
four," said Jarvis's mistress, after opening the telegram.

"Yes, ma'am," replied Jarvis, as Mrs Hamilton walked upstairs to the
drawing-room, followed by Mavis.

Accustomed as Mavis had been of late to bed-sitting rooms or shabby
lodging-house parlours, her first glimpse of Mrs Hamilton's
richly-furnished drawing-room almost took away her breath. It was not
so much the richness of the furniture which astonished her, as the
daring scheme of decoration and the profusion of expensive nicknacks
scattered about the room; these last were eloquent of Mrs Hamilton's
ability to satisfy any whim, however costly it might be. The walls were
panelled in white; white curtains were drawn across the windows; black
bearskins covered the floor; the furniture was dark, formal, much of it
carved; here and there on the white panelling of the walls were black
Wedgwood plaques; black Wedgwood china stood audaciously upon and
inside cabinets. A large grand piano and the cheerful blaze of a wood
fire mitigated the severity of the room.

"How beautiful!" exclaimed Mavis.

"You like it?"

"It's the loveliest room I've ever been in."

"It's your home if we hit it off."

"Do you think we shall?"

"Up to now I don't see any reason why we shouldn't."

Mavis again breathed thanks to Heaven for having so generously answered
her prayer. She felt how she would like to tell of her experience to
any who denied the efficacy of personal supplication to God.

"Shall I play to you?" asked Mavis, after they had talked for some
minutes.

"I don't like music," replied Mrs Hamilton.

"Not?"

"I don't understand it. Let's go upstairs to my room."

If she did not care for music, Mavis wondered why she had made a point
of asking if she (Mavis) could play.

Mrs Hamilton's bedroom was a further revelation to the girl; she looked
wide-eyed at the Louis Seize gilt furniture, the tapestry, the
gilt-edged screens, the plated bath in a corner of the room, the superb
dressing-table bestrewed with gold toilet nicknacks.

"Do you like my bed?" asked Mrs Hamilton, who was watching the girl's
undisguised wonder.

"I haven't had time to take in the other things."

Mavis looked at the bed; it stood in an alcove on the side of the room
furthest from where she was. It was long, low, and gilded;
plum-coloured curtains rose in voluptuous folds till they were joined
near the ceiling by a pair of big silver doves.

"Do you like it?" asked Mrs Hamil