nnesley, and turned away. Smith let her go
in silence; and the girl watched the tall figure--as perfect in shape and
as perfectly dressed as a French model--walk out of the restaurant into
the foyer.

She seemed to have taken with her the golden glamour which had made up
for lack of sunshine in the room before her arrival; or if she had not
taken it, at least it was dimmed. Annesley gazed after the figure until
it disappeared, because she felt vaguely that it would be best not to
look at her companion just then. She knew that he was angry, and that he
wanted to compose himself.

The Countess was as handsome by morning light, in her black velvet and
chinchilla, as at night in flame colour and gold. But--the girl hoped she
was not ill-natured--she looked _meretricious_. If she were "made up,"
the process defied Annesley Grayle's eyes; yet surely never was skin so
flawlessly white; and such golden-red hair with dark eyes and eyebrows
must be unique.

"Great Scott, I thought she meant to spend the morning with us!" Smith
broke out, viciously. "I realize, now I've seen you together, that she's
not--the ideal chaperon. But any port in a storm!"

"I thought you liked her," Annesley said.

"So I do--within limits. At least I appreciate qualities that she has.
But there are times--when a little of her goes a long way."

"I'm afraid she realized that you weren't making her welcome," Annesley
smiled. "You weren't very nice to her, were you?"

"I was as nice as she deserved," the man excused himself.

"But she was good to me last night!"

"She owes it to me to be good. It's a debt I expect her to pay, that's
all, and I'm not sure she's paying it generously. You needn't be too
grateful, dear."

"Perhaps, as she's known you some time, she feels you're sacrificing
yourself," Annesley defended the Countess. "I don't blame her!"

"She's sharp enough to see that I'm in great luck," said Smith. "But I
suppose there's always a dash of the cat in a woman of her race. I hope
there's no need to tell you that she has no right to be jealous. If she
had, I wouldn't have put you within reach of her claws. There are
assorted sizes and kinds of jealousy, though. Some women want all the
lime-light and grudge sparing any for a younger and prettier girl."

Annesley laughed. "_Prettier!_ Why, she's a beauty, and I----"

"Wait till I introduce you to Mrs. Nelson Smith, who's going to be one
of the best-dressed, best-looking young women in