dash of gold to match her smooth, shining
hair! No power could draw Janet to Bluff Head after the one visit during
which the two ladies had frankly and condescendingly taken stock of her,
evidently in consequence of remarks made by the master of the house.

For the first time in her life, Janet had felt the resentment of being
"looked down upon." Had she a particle of malice or suspicion in her
nature, the resentment might have rankled and grown into hate, for the
girl had all the pride and independence of the place. As it was, she had
withdrawn into herself, like the flower to which she had been likened,
and had vanished from sight.

"I won't wash the glasses!" the laugh rang merrily like the laugh of a
child; "let her wash her own glass, and soil her pretty frock."

But this declaration of independence did not prohibit a general tidying
in other respects. The north window shade was rolled up and the sash
raised; the easel drawn out into place before the low stool; and the
jacket and pipe arranged conveniently at hand for the master when he
should appear.

"And now," rippled the girl, "I'll give him a surprise and a shock!"
First, she went outside, relocked the door and hid the key; then nimbly
entered the hut by the north window. Once inside again, she closed the
window and, trembling with excitement and hurry, ran to the posing
platform and flung herself among the cushions. Then she spread her hair
loosely over the sea-green pillows that rose around her. The net was
caught up and draped about the slim, graceful body. Eyes and small brown
feet showed between the meshes; the conceit was deliciously bewildering!

When all was arranged, she cautiously let fall the shielding curtain and
waited.

"He'll come early!" she whispered, "oh! very early. And I wonder what he
will call this picture?"

The night's patrol, and the mastering of Billy, had tired the girl. The
couch was sleep-enticing, the pillows dream-bringing, and the day was
yet young; so Janet slept, a vision to touch any heart, one to stir an
artist to holy rapture.

How long she slept Janet never knew, but the grating of the key in the
lock awakened her. Her heart beat wildly and the blood ran riotously in
her veins. The door opened, some one spoke; and then, as if before a
north blast, all the glow and glory of Janet's joy froze within her!

"Wasn't I clever to watch where he hid the key, Mr. Devant? And how
utterly good of you to enter the conspiracy