now. Forget it."

"But there is one thing I wish to understand thoroughly," put in Worth
slowly.

"And that?" La Signorina was never sure of this man. He was deeper than
the others; he had more polish, more knowledge of the world at large; he
was a gentleman by birth. He was a puzzle, and at this period she was
not overfond of shifting puzzles into answers.

"You have guaranteed our credit at this hotel. By what means?" Worth
held her eye with courage.

"My word," she answered, finding that she could not beat down his eye.

"I know something of these foreign hotel managers. Words are all right,
but they must be backed by concrete values." Worth's eye was still
steady and unwavering. "If, as I believe, you have guaranteed our credit
here by means of jewels, we must know."

She appealed silently to O'Mally, but he shook his head determinedly.

"It's only right that we should know," he said, wondering why this thing
had never entered his thick skull before.

"Let us not indulge in fine sentiment. I have guaranteed your credit
here; how I have done so, ought not to matter much."

"But it does," countered Worth. "If by more than word, we insist upon
knowing." Worth spoke with feeling. "Do not for a moment doubt my
attitude. I understand and appreciate your great generosity. We are
absolutely nothing to you, and you are not responsible for our
misfortunes. But we men have some pride left. A man might do for us what
you have done and we should accept it without comment; but a woman, no.
That alters the case entirely."

"Is it from a sense--a misguided sense--of chivalry?" she asked, her
lips suggesting a smile.

"That's probably it," O'Mally answered.

And Smith inclined his head in approval.

"You are evading us," went on Worth, not having moved from his stand.

"You insist, then?" coldly.

"Positively insist. If you do not tell us, we shall be forced to pay our
bill and take our chances elsewhere." Worth pressed the button in the
wall. A servant appeared directly. "The manager, at once."

La Signorina dropped her veil and sat stiffly in her chair. Kitty moved
uneasily. Was the man crazy to cross La Signorina like this? The manager
appeared. He bowed.

"Madame here," began Worth, indicating La Signorina, "has guaranteed our
credit at your hotel."

"Yes. Is not everything satisfactory?" asked the manager eagerly.

"By what means has she established our credit? And do you know her?"

"I never saw madam