ecame obvious that long ago Hampton had given freely of his
admiration to Bayne Trevors. For Trevors had taken the time, his own
purpose in mind, to look in upon Hampton some months ago in San
Francisco. Further, he had created the impression which he sought to
make. An impression, by the way, not entirely erroneous.

"A great man!" cried Hampton warmly. "The only man I know big enough
to swing a job like this."

To himself he said that the chief good he could do at the outset was to
work to get Trevors back. With this in his mind and having had no full
account of Judith's manner of ejecting the general manager, he went
straight to her.

"Trevors is a friend of mine," he said lightly. "I'm going to ask him
over to meet my guests. No objection, is there?"

She looked at him keenly.

"Do as you please," was her cool answer. "I imagine he won't care to
come."

Launched upon his first business venture, Hampton went to the
telephone. That evening at table he surprised Judith not a little when
he said casually that Trevors had said he'd run over in a day or so, as
soon as he could find time.

"What's that?" he asked, breaking off.

For certainly Judith had started to speak. But now she merely shrugged
her shoulders and sat in silent thoughtfulness.

Mrs. Langworthy had no liking to bestow upon such as Judith. The girl,
she confided every night to the major, was unladylike, unwomanly,
_outre_, horsy, unthinkable, an insult to any woman into whose presence
she came. The major agreed monosyllabically or with silent nods for
the sake of peace. Personally he was rather inclined to fancy Judith's
uncorseted figure, to admire her red-blooded beauty, and he always
touched up the ends of his mustaches in her presence.

Judith, having early taken Mrs. Langworthy's measure, found an impish
joy in murdering the proprieties for her especial benefit. She said
"Damn" upon occasions when Mrs. Langworthy was there to hear; she rode
her horse at a gallop into the yard and right up to the veranda when
Mrs. Langworthy was there to see, swinging down as her mount jerked to
standstill, as "ladylike" about it all as a wild Comanche; at table she
talked of prize boars and sick calves and other kindred vulgar matters.

But the major admired her; Marcia, as days went by, proved to be a
sweet-tempered, somewhat timid, but highly good-natured, affectionate
creature generously offering her good-will; and Rogers, the lawyer, and