h some nice
girl who understands things is imperative after one has been out of
touch with everything feminine for months and months. It is a natural
desire which must be satisfied, otherwise it leads a man to resort to
desperate measures in the quest for sympathy. Because of your father you
are more to me than a sister, Flamby, and if you will consent to my
treating you as one you will be performing an act of charity above
price. The Aunt quite understands and approves. Isn't that good enough?"

Flamby met his gaze honestly and was satisfied. "Yes," she replied.
"Myself and what is mine to you and yours is now converted." The end of
the quotation was almost inaudible, for it had leapt from Flamby's
tongue unbidden. The idea that Don might suspect her of seeking to
impress him with her learning was hateful to her. But Don on the
contrary was quite frankly delighted.

"Hullo!" he cried--"is that Portia?"

"Yes, but please don't take any notice if I say funny things. I don't
mean to. Dad loved _The Merchant of Venice_, and I know quite a lot of
lines by heart."

"How perfectly delightful to meet a girl who wears neither sensible
boots nor spectacles but who appreciates Shakespeare! Lud! I thought
such treasures were mythical. Flamby, I have a great idea. If you love
Portia you will love Ellen Terry. I suppose her Portia is no more than a
memory of the old Lyceum days, but it is a golden memory, Flamby. Ellen
Terry is at the Coliseum. Shall we go to-night? Perhaps the Aunt would
join us."

"Oh!" said Flamby, her eyes alight with excitement; but the one word was
sufficient.

"Right!" cried Don. "Now for Liberty's."

They entered the cab, and as it moved off, "What is Liberty's?" asked
Flamby.

"The place for rummy furniture," explained Don. "Nobody else could
possibly provide the things for your den. The Aunt once had a cottage in
Devon furnished by Liberty and it was the most perfect gem of a cottage
one could imagine."

"Was she very well off once?"

"The Aunt? Why the dear old lady ought to be worth thousands. Her
husband left her no end of money and property. She has travelled nearly
all over the civilised world, Flamby, and now is tied to that one tiny
room at The Hostel."

"But how is it? Did she lose her money?"

"She gave it away and let everybody rob her. The world unfortunately is
full of Dick Turpins and Jack Sheppards, not to mention their lady
friends."

"Ah," said Flamby and sat silent for s