derstand? . . . The racket
is this: I've got to see you at once, privately. I'll wait here just
twenty minutes for you. . . . Yes, you can and you will! You seem to
forget, my friend, that I hold the whip hand. . . . No hard feelings,
Vernie, but you know what's in store for you if you don't do what
you're told. . . That's better! In twenty minutes? Right!"

Willa, meantime, had plowed her way through the slush in the Park on
her early morning canter, and surrendered herself listlessly to the
hands of her hair-dresser. A morning musicale, a luncheon, four teas,
a dinner, opera and a dance formed the program of the day before her
and she quailed in spirit. The novelty of the first few weeks
following her initial dinner party had worn off, and greater ease and
familiarity with the social round brought with it only an added
restlessness and contempt.

There had been no clash, of late, between her will and that of the wary
Mrs. Halstead, but the latter watched her every move with argus eyes
and directed each detail of the day so implacably that Willa had
followed the line of least resistance, save in one particular: she
still slipped away at odd moments and left no trail.

Mrs. Halstead was therefore suspicious when, after the luncheon, Willa
pleaded a headache, and announced flatly that she would take a siesta
in lieu of attending the receptions.

"But, my dear, surely you will make an effort to put in an appearance,
at least at the Allardyce's. I am particularly anxious that you make
an impression there; they are most exclusive, and if they take you up
your position is assured. You cannot afford to miss this opportunity."

"Oh, yes, I can." The smooth, dominant voice roused Willa swiftly to
white heat. "I haven't seen anything about this outfit yet that comes
too high for Grandfather Murdaugh's money."

It was the first cynical remark that had ever fallen from the girl's
lips, but she was learning fast, and Mrs. Halstead recognized the storm
signals and withdrew.

In the hall, she encountered Willa's maid, a bright-eyed, hard-featured
Frenchwoman.

"Liane, if Mademoiselle goes out before I return, you know what to do?"

"Bien, Madame, pairfectly." The woman smiled quietly, and, turning,
reentered her mistress' room.

"Go away, Liane. I'm going to try to rest. No, don't pull the
curtains, I want the air. You may call me at six."

Willa waited half an hour, then, dressing quickly in plain, dar