h a fine eye.

"Hm!" she said. And Alvina did not know whether she was sceptical,
or jealous, or admiring, or really impressed.

"And the diamonds are real?" said Madame, making Alvina hold up her
hands.

"I've always understood so," said Alvina.

Madame scrutinized, and slowly nodded her head. Then she looked into
Alvina's eyes, really a little jealous.

"Another four thousand francs there," she said, nodding sagely.

"Really!" said Alvina.

"For sure. It's enough--it's enough--"

And there was a silence between the two women.

The young men had been out shopping for the supper. Louis, who knew
where to find French and German stuff, came in with bundles, Ciccio
returned with a couple of flasks, Geoffrey with sundry moist papers
of edibles. Alvina helped Madame to put the anchovies and sardines
and tunny and ham and salami on various plates, she broke off a bit
of fern from one of the flower-pots, to stick in the pork-pie, she
set the table with its ugly knives and forks and glasses. All the
time her rings sparkled, her red brooch sent out beams, she laughed
and was gay, she was quick, and she flattered Madame by being very
deferential to her. Whether she was herself or not, in the hideous,
common, stuffy sitting-room of the lodging-house she did not know or
care. But she felt excited and gay. She knew the young men were
watching her. Max gave his assistance wherever possible. Geoffrey
watched her rings, half spell-bound. But Alvina was concerned only
to flatter the plump, white, soft vanity of Madame. She carefully
chose for Madame the finest plate, the clearest glass, the
whitest-hafted knife, the most delicate fork. All of which Madame
saw, with acute eyes.

At the theatre the same: Alvina played for Kishwegin, only for
Kishwegin. And Madame had the time of her life.

"You know, my dear," she said afterward to Alvina, "I understand
sympathy in music. Music goes straight to the heart." And she kissed
Alvina on both cheeks, throwing her arms round her neck
dramatically.

"I'm _so_ glad," said the wily Alvina.

And the young men stirred uneasily, and smiled furtively.

They hurried home to the famous supper. Madame sat at one end of the
table, Alvina at the other. Madame had Max and Louis by her side,
Alvina had Ciccio and Geoffrey. Ciccio was on Alvina's right hand: a
delicate hint.

They began with hors d'oeuvres and tumblers three parts full of
Chianti. Alvina wanted to water her wine, but was no