ieve you are frightened, but probably she is frightened
enough."

"I know nothing whatever about her," sighed the little woman, "and we
are only doing it because we are so dreadfully hard up; my maid says
that I shall soon not have a stitch to my back, and that would be so
fearfully improper. At least"--she hesitated--"I am doing it because
times are bad. Tim really knows nothing about it; I mean that he does
not know that Miss Dexter is a 'paying guest', and it does sound
horribly lower middle-class, doesn't it? But I'm so afraid Tim won't be
able to go to Homburg this year, and he is eating and drinking so much
already, and it's only the beginning of April. What will happen if he
can't drink water and take exercise all this summer?"

"But I suppose you know her name?"

"I believe it is Molly Dexter. And do you think I should say 'Molly' at
once--to-night, I mean?"

Sir Edmund did not answer this question.

"I used to know some Dexters years ago."

"Yes, it is quite a good name, and Molly is of good family: she is a
cousin of Lady Dawning, but she is an orphan. I think I must call her
Molly at once," and the little round eyes looked wistful and kindly.

Sir Edmund was able from this to conclude rightly that Mrs. Delaport
Green was not aware of the existence of Madame Danterre, and would have
no suspicions as to the sources of the fortune that supplied Molly's
large allowance. It had, in fact, been thought wiser not to offer
explanations which had not been called for.

"It will be very tiresome for you," said Grosse. "You will have to amuse
her, you know, and is she worth while?"

"Quite; she will pay--let me see--she will pay for the new motor, and
she will go to my dressmaker and keep her in a good temper. But, of
course, I shall have to make sacrifices and find her partners. I must
try and not let my poor people miss me. They would miss me dreadfully,
though I know you don't think so."

"And you don't even know what she is like?"

"Oh, yes, I do; I have seen her once, and she is oh! so interesting:
olive skin, black, or almost black, hair, almond-shaped grey eyes--no, I
don't mean almond-shaped, but really very curiously-shaped eyes, full
of--let me see if I can tell you what they are full of--something that,
in fact, makes you shiver and feel quite excited. But, do you know, she
hardly speaks, and then in such a low voice. I'll tell you now, I'll
tell you exactly what she reminds me of: do you know a pi