whole corner faintly sweet. Her features were regular,
but of a type strange to Simpkins, the nose slightly aquiline, the lips
full and red--vividly so by contrast to the clear white of the skin--and
the forehead low and straight. Black hair waved back from it, and was
caught up by the coils of a golden asp, from whose lifted head two
rubies gleamed. Doubtless a woman would have pronounced her gown absurd
and her way of wearing her hair an intolerable affectation. But it was
effective with the less discriminating animal--instantly so with
Simpkins.

And then she raised her eyes and looked at him. To the first glance they
were dusky eyes, deep and fathomless, changing swiftly to the blue-black
of the northern skies on a clear winter night, and flashing out sharp
points of light, like star-rays. He knew that in that glance he had been
weighed, gauged and classed, and, though he was used to questioning
Governors and Senators quite unabashed and unafraid, he found himself
standing awkward and ill-at-ease in the presence of this woman.

Had she addressed him in Greek or Egyptian, he would have accepted it as
a matter of course. But when she did speak it was in the soft, clear
tones of a well-bred Englishwoman, and what she said was commonplace
enough.

"I suppose you've called to see about the place?" she asked.

"Ye-es," stammered Simpkins, but with wit enough to know that he had
come at an opportune moment. If there were a place, decidedly he had
called to see about it.

"Who sent you?" she continued, and he understood that he was not there
in answer to a want advertisement.

"Professor Blackburn." And he presented his letter and went on, with
a return of his glibness: "You see, I've been working my way through
Harvard--preparing for the ministry--Congregationalist. Found I'd have
to stop and go to work regularly for a while before I could finish. So
I've come over here, where I can attend the night classes at Columbia at
the same time. And as I'm interested in Egyptology, and had heard a good
deal about your collection, I got that letter to you. Thought you might
know some one in the building who wanted a man, as work in a place like
this would be right in my line. Of course, if you're looking for any
one, I'd like to apply for the place." And he paused expectantly.

"I see. You want to be a Dissenting minister, and you're working for
your education. Very creditable of you, I'm sure. And you're a stranger
in New Y