y, enigmatic eyes and
close-shut lips should keep from Mary a position which she did not want
herself. For Mary, captive of her Thought, was more than ready to
believe that Desire's hidden preference was for John. She naturally
could not grant her rival a share of her own discriminating taste in
loving.

"I suppose," thought Mary, "it is her immaturity which makes her prefer
the doctor person to one who so far outranks him. She admires sleek
hair and a straight nose. The finer fascinations of Benis escape her."

Meanwhile she stayed on.

"I know I should come home," she wrote the most select of the select
friends. "And I know dear Miss Campion thinks so! But the situation
here is too absorbing. And, as my invitation was indefinite, I can
hardly be accused of outstaying it. I can't be supposed to know that
I'm not wanted. I justify myself by the knowledge that I am of some use
to Benis. You know I can interest most men when I try, and this time my
'heart is in it'--like Sentimental Tommy. I am even teaching a
perfectly dear parrot they have here to sing, 'Oh, What a Pal was
Mary.' Will you run over to my rooms and send down that London smoke
chiffon frock with the silver underslip? Stockings and slippers to
match in a box in the bottom drawer. I am contemplating a moon-light
mood and must have the accessories. One loses half the effect if one
does not dress the part. Madam Enigma never dresses in character.
Because she never assumes one. So dull to be always just oneself, don't
you think? Even if one knew what one's real self is, which I am sure I
do not.

"This girl annoys me. How she can be so simple and yet so complex I
can't understand. I thought perhaps a dash of jealousy might be
revealing. But she hasn't turned a hair. I have my emotions pretty well
in hand myself but even if I didn't adore my husband, I'd see that no
one else appropriated him. But as far as Madam Coolness is concerned it
looks as if I might put her husband in my pocket and keep him there
indefinitely.

"I told you in my last about the good-looking doctor. What she sees in
him puzzles me. He is handsome but as dull as all the proverbs. Can't
be original even in his love affairs--otherwise he would hardly select
his best friend's bride--so bookish! Why doesn't someone fall in love
with the wife of his enemy? It seems to have gone out since Romeo's
time. (Now don't write and tell me that Juliet wasn't married.)

"Another thing which I find o