ed as though he knew more than was
good for him. Indeed, the whole atmosphere of the rooms was shady and
fast, and Paul, simple young fellow as he was, felt the bad influence
the moment he stepped into the tiny drawing-room.

This was furnished daintily and with great taste in color and
furnishing. It was more like a woman's room, and Mr. Hay had spared no
cost in making it pleasing to the eye and comfortable to the body. The
prevailing tone was pale yellow, and the electric light suffused itself
through lemon-shaded globes. The Louis Quinze furniture was upholstered
in primrose, and there were many Persian praying mats and Eastern
draperies about the place. Water-color pictures decked the walls, and
numerous mirrors reflected the dainty, pretty apartment. A brisk fire
was burning, although the evening was not cold, and everything looked
delightfully pleasant. Paul could not help contrasting all this luxury
and taste with his bare garret. But with Sylvia's love to warm his
heart, he would not have changed places with Grexon Hay for all his
splendor.

Two ladies were seated by the fire. Mrs. Krill in black, majestic and
calm as usual. She wore diamonds on her breast and jewelled stars in her
gray hair. Although not young, she was a wonderfully well-preserved
woman, and her arms and neck were white, gleaming and beautifully
shaped. From the top of her head to the sole of her rather large but
well-shod foot, she was dressed to perfection, and waved a languid fan
as she welcomed Paul, who was presented to her by the host. "I am glad
to see you, Mr. Beecot," she said in her deep voice; "we had rather an
unhappy interview when last we met. How is Miss Norman?"

"She is quite well," replied Paul, in as cordial a tone as he could
command. For the sake of learning what he could, he wished to be
amiable, but it was difficult when he reflected that this large, suave,
smiling woman had robbed Sylvia of a fortune and had spoken of her in a
contemptuous way. But Beecot, swallowing down his pride, held his little
candle to the devil without revealing his repugnance too openly. And
apparently Mrs. Krill believed that his composure was genuine enough,
for she was quite at her ease in his presence.

The daughter was dressed like the mother, save that she wore pearls in
place of diamonds. She talked but little, as usual, and sat smiling, the
young image of the older woman. Hay also introduced Paul to a handsome
young fellow of twenty-