ll, never mind about that! Did she know about palmistry? And
could she _really_ put people under her influence so that they must do
as she willed? How nice that must be! And would she and the professor
come up to the Pumphreys' reception and arrange to give a program of
occult feats for the entertainment of the guests? Surely; they should
be very glad; that was a part of their profession.

During these negotiations Mr. Cox waited outside, and Florian Amidon,
meeting him in the lobby and being accosted as 'Gene, stopped for a
talk, fearing to slight some dear but unknown friend. The word "'Gene"
was becoming a sort of round shot across the bows in his Bellevale
cruises. The parley (concerning wells and tanks) he cut as short as
possible, and, passing on, started up the stairway.

Half-way up there was a broad landing, and as Florian turned on this,
he saw at the head of the flight the blast-furnace of hair, the
striking hat and the pleasantly rounded figure of Clara's visitor--a
person to him quite unknown. Fate, however, seemed to have in store
for him an extraordinary introduction, for instantly he was aware of
the descent upon him of a fiery comet of femininity. The lady seemed
to be falling down stairs. With a little cry she descended, partly
flying, partly falling, partly sliding flown the baluster--a whirl of
superheated hair, swirling skirts, and wide, appealing eyes of delf
blue. Amidon caught her in his arms, and sought to place her gently on
her feet: but in the pure chance and accident of the encounter, her
arms had fallen about his neck, and she hung upon him in something like
a hug.

"Oh! oh!" said she, "the idea of your flying to me like that! But it's
nice of you!"

Amidon bowed distantly, and in evident embarrassment. Miss Scarlett
drew herself up, as at an undeserved rebuke.

"I am very glad," said he, "to have been of any service, even at the
risk of seeming familiarity, in saving you from a fall. I hope you
will pardon me, a stranger, for so far----"

"A stranger!" she ejaculated; "oh, heavens! Leave me, 'Gene! Go away!"

The "Go away" was pronounced as Mr. Cox appeared at the foot of the
stairs. Amidon passed on, now fully aware of having committed a _faux
pas_. Looking back, he saw Miss Scarlett leaning against a newel-post
as if in agitation; saw Mr. Cox come up and lead her down; and as she
disappeared, leaning weakly on her escort's arm, the mop of rumpled
hair faded from