have of finding money in
a letter is to sign for next season and draw down enough to pay for a
steamer ticket. As for a bank account, Lord! I never had one. I have
made two offers for my versatile talents, but no line yet."

O'Mally laughed. "Same boat. I've written to my brother, who has always
held that I'm a good-for-nothing. And he may see in this predicament of
mine a good chance to be rid of me permanently. But I believe Worth has
a bank account at home. He is close-mouthed about his affairs. He
received some letters yesterday, but when I quizzed him he made out he
didn't hear me. I didn't crowd him. Hope he won't make a fool of himself
over La Signorina. Sh! he's coming back."

The door opened and Worth beckoned. "They are in the parlor, waiting. I
don't know what news they bring."

There was a brightness in his eyes that meant unmistakable things to his
two companions. They laid aside their pipes, tidied up a bit, and went
down to the stuffy salon. The two women rose as the men entered. There
was good cheer and handshaking. O'Mally's heart sank, however, as he
touched the hand of La Signorina. There was no joy in the pressure,
nothing but sympathy and subtle encouragement.

"Come," he said cheerfully, "put us out of our misery. Confess that you
are both broke, and that Monte Carlo is still on the map."

As a preamble La Signorina raised the inevitable veil to the rim of her
hat. Worth sat down in the darkest corner whence he could without
inconvenience feast his eyes upon her beauty. Her tale was short and
lightly told, with an interpolation now and then by Kitty.

"I was very foolish," said the erstwhile prima donna. "I might have
known that when one is unlucky one may become still more unlucky. The
superlative of bad luck has been my portion. But I did so wish to win. I
wanted to bring back enough gold to send you all to America."

"But what was to become of you?" asked Worth from behind his fortress of
shadow.

"I?" She paused with indecision. The question was not expected. "Oh,
Italy is my home. I shall find a way somehow. Put me out of your
thoughts entirely. But I am sorry to bring you this bitter
disappointment, for it must be bitter. You have all been so good and
patient in your misfortune."

"Forget it," said O'Mally. "Sure, we're no worse off than we were
before. And here we've had a whole week of hope and fine air-castles.
I've seen 'em tumble down so often that I've a shell like a turtle's