a
large archway hung with tapestries led to the sleeping chambers. At the
other end a door opened onto a small private hall, which, in turn, had
another door communicating with the main corridor. The apartment was
expensively and elaborately furnished. The inlaid floors were strewn
with handsome Oriental rugs, the chairs and sofas were heavy gilt,
upholstered in crimson silk, while here and there were Louis XV writing
desks, teakwood curio cabinets, costly bronzes and statuary. The walls
were covered with valuable paintings and engravings. Near the window
stood a superb full-length Empire cheval glass, the kind that women
love to dress by and survey their beauty.

Two months had sped quickly by since that cold, stormy day in February,
when Laura, distracted, half-starved, her spirit broken, despairing of
aid from Madison or any other decent quarter, threatened with eviction
even from Mrs. Farley's miserable lodgings, weakly surrendered,
listened to the call which summoned her back to her former life, and
once more became Brockton's mistress.

At first the sudden transition from misery and absolute want to all the
comforts and extravagant luxuries that unlimited means can command was
so gratifying that she saw no reason to repent of the step she had
taken. On the contrary, she rejoiced that she was still pretty enough,
still young and clever enough to hold a man of Brockton's influence and
wealth. Decidedly, she thought to herself, Elfie was right. Virtue was
all very well for nice, good girls who did not mind doing chores,
practicing painful economy, wearing shabby clothes, and tiring
themselves out for small wages in petty, humiliating occupations, but
she could never stand it. She would die rather. Life would not be worth
living if she were to be always denied the sweets of life, and to her
that meant champagne suppers, gorgeous gowns, and all that goes with
them. So, banishing from her mind any unpleasant memories or regrets,
she plunged headlong into the boiling vortex of gay metropolitan life.
Thanks to Brockton, she secured one of the best parts of the expiring
theatrical season, and made such a hit that her name was in everybody's
mouth. The newspapers interviewed her, society women copied her,
toothpaste and perfume manufacturers solicited her testimonials. In a
word, she was famous overnight. Burgess, the manager, was now eager to
sign for five years, but Laura laughed, and tore up the contract before
his fac