, no descending; her attitude was that of perfect
equality. She stood tranquilly on the ground of their common womanhood.
And this maddened Freda. Not so, had she been of lesser breed; but her
soul's plummet knew not the bottomless, and she could follow the other
into the deeps of her deepest depths and read her aright. "Why do you
not draw back your garment's hem?" she was fain to cry out, all in that
flashing, dazzling second. "Spit upon me, revile me, and it were greater
mercy than this!" She trembled. Her nostrils distended and quivered.
But she drew herself in check, returned the inclination of head, and
turned to the man.

"Come with me, Floyd," she said simply. "I want you now."

"What the--" he began explosively, and quit as suddenly, discreet enough
to not round it off. Where the deuce had his wits gone, anyway? Was
ever a man more foolishly placed? He gurgled deep down in his throat and
high up in the roof of his mouth, heaved as one his big shoulders and his
indecision, and glared appealingly at the two women.

"I beg pardon, just a moment, but may I speak first with Mr. Vanderlip?"
Mrs. Eppingwell's voice, though flute-like and low, predicated will in
its every cadence.

The man looked his gratitude. He, at least, was willing enough.

"I'm very sorry," from Freda. "There isn't time. He must come at once."
The conventional phrases dropped easily from her lips, but she could not
forbear to smile inwardly at their inadequacy and weakness. She would
much rather have shrieked.

"But, Miss Moloof, who are you that you may possess yourself of Mr.
Vanderlip and command his actions?"

Whereupon relief brightened his face, and the man beamed his approval.
Trust Mrs. Eppingwell to drag him clear. Freda had met her match this
time.

"I--I--" Freda hesitated, and then her feminine mind putting on its
harness--"and who are you to ask this question?"

"I? I am Mrs. Eppingwell, and--"

"There!" the other broke in sharply. "You are the wife of a captain, who
is therefore your husband. I am only a dancing girl. What do you with
this man?"

"Such unprecedented behavior!" Mrs. McFee ruffled herself and cleared for
action, but Mrs. Eppingwell shut her mouth with a look and developed a
new attack.

"Since Miss Moloof appears to hold claims upon you, Mr. Vanderlip, and is
in too great haste to grant me a few seconds of your time, I am forced to
appeal directly to you. May I speak with you, alone,