ision upon Gustave's face caused by her despairing
exclamation she laughed.

When she entered the lounge, it was to find Miss Brent sitting upright
upon the stiffest chair in the middle of the room. Miss Wangle and
Mrs. Mosscrop-Smythe were seated together in the extreme corner, Mrs.
Barnes and two or three others were grouped by the window. The
atmosphere was tense. Something had apparently happened. Patricia
learned that from the grim set of Miss Brent's mouth.

"I want to talk to you, Patricia," Miss Brent announced after the
customary greeting.

"Yes, Aunt Adelaide," said Patricia, sinking into a chair with a sigh
of resignation.

"Somewhere private," said Miss Brent.

"There is no privacy at Galvin House," murmured Patricia, "except in
the bathroom."

"Patricia, don't be indelicate," snapped Miss Brent.

"I'm not indelicate, Aunt Adelaide, I'm merely being accurate," said
Patricia wearily.

"Cannot we go to your room?" enquired Miss Brent.

"Impossible!" announced Patricia. "It's like an oven by now. The sun
is on it all the afternoon. Besides," continued Patricia, "my affairs
are public property here. We are quite a commune. We have everything
in common--except our toothbrushes," she added as an afterthought.

"Well! Let us get over there."

Miss Brent rose and made for the corner farthest from Miss Wangle and
Mrs. Mosscrop-Smythe. Patricia followed her wearily.

"I've just snubbed those two women," announced Miss Brent, as she
seated herself in a basket-chair that squeaked protestingly.

"There were indications of electricity in the air," remarked Patricia
calmly.

"I want to have a serious talk with you, Patricia," said Miss Brent in
her best it's-my-duty-cost-it-what-it-may manner.

"How can anyone be serious in this heat?" protested Patricia.

"I owe it to your poor dear father to----"

"This debtor and creditor business is killing romance," murmured
Patricia.

"I have your welfare to consider," proceeded Miss Brent. "I----"

"Don't you think you've done enough mischief already, Aunt Adelaide?"
enquired Patricia coolly.

"Mischief! I?" exclaimed Miss Brent in astonishment.

Patricia nodded.

"As your sole surviving relative it is my duty----"

"Don't you think," interrupted Patricia, "that just for once you could
neglect your duty? Sin is wonderfully exhilarating."

"Patricia!" almost shrieked Miss Brent, horror in her eyes. "Are you
mad?"

"No," replied Patrici