ation. Some mystic value is attached to it as a moral
amulet. I don't believe that excellent Miss Blake would consent to
take me in for a second night without the guarantee of a portmanteau to
respectablise me."

We all have moments of weakness, even the most irreproachable Philistine
among us; and as Bertram said those words in rather a piteous voice,
it occurred to Philip Christy that the loan of a portmanteau would be a
Christian act which might perhaps simplify matters for the handsome
and engaging stranger. Besides, he was sure, after all--mystery or no
mystery--Bertram Ingledew was Somebody. That nameless charm of dignity
and distinction impressed him more and more the longer he talked with
the Alien. "Well, I think, perhaps, I could help you," he hazarded
after a moment, in a dubious tone; though to be sure, if he lent the
portmanteau, it would be like cementing the friendship for good or for
evil; which Philip, being a prudent young man, felt to be in some ways a
trifle dangerous; for who borrows a portmanteau must needs bring it
back again--which opens the door to endless contingencies. "I MIGHT be
able--"

At that moment, their colloquy was suddenly interrupted by the entry
of a lady who immediately riveted Bertram Ingledew's attention. She was
tall and dark, a beautiful woman, of that riper and truer beauty in face
and form that only declares itself as character develops. Her features
were clear cut, rather delicate than regular; her eyes were large and
lustrous; her lips not too thin, but rich and tempting; her brow was
high, and surmounted by a luscious wealth of glossy black hair which
Bertram never remembered to have seen equalled before for its silkiness
of texture and its strange blue sheen, like a plate of steel, or the
grass of the prairies. Gliding grace distinguished her when she walked.
Her motion was equable. As once the sons of God saw the daughters of
men that they were fair, and straightway coveted them, even so Bertram
Ingledew looked on Frida Monteith, and saw at the first glance she was a
woman to be desired, a soul high-throned, very calm and beautiful.

She stood there for a moment and faced him, half in doubt, in her
flowing Oriental or Mauresque robe (for she dressed, as Philip would
have said, "artistically"), waiting to be introduced the while, and
taking good heed, as she waited, of the handsome stranger. As for
Philip, he hesitated, not quite certain in his own mind on the point
o