inevitable marriage. She pleaded with Adelle to leave her
so-called husband and come back with her to the Neuilly villa "until the
matter could be straightened out, and an announcement of the marriage
made to the world," as she was wily enough to put it. But Adelle was
adamant. Archie, to whom the woman next appealed, was more yielding. She
succeeded in frightening him, talking about the dangers of French laws
that had to do with minors. Of course they had lied about Adelle's age,
and there were all sorts of complications besides the scandal, which was
perfectly needless in any case. And Miss Comstock assured them that the
trust company would probably take every step to annul the marriage.
There was a very hard road ahead of them if they persisted in their
idiotic course. Finally she even suggested that Archie might return to
the Villa with them until his status could be determined. Adelle,
however, feared Pussy's cleverness and would not stir from the studio.
All through the protracted interview in this crisis, when her heart's
desire was threatened, Adelle displayed surprising courage and
steadfastness of purpose. Her courage naturally was an egotistic
courage: it amounted in sum to this--nobody should take away her toy
from her this time. And finally Miss Comstock retired from the scene
defeated and somewhat venomous.

"I hope, my dear," she sent as a parting shot, "that Mr. Davis can give
you the comforts you are used to. I think it may be extremely difficult
for you to use your own money for the present."

Adelle seemed quite indifferent to the comforts she had been used to,
although she well knew that there was not a five-franc piece in the
studio, when Miss Comstock departed to cable the trust company the
results of her interview. The trust company, it may be said in passing,
was much upset over the news, and after consultation decided to send the
third vice-president across the ocean to examine into the matter, Mr.
Ashly Crane having declined to undertake the delicate mission. Meantime
they did not rescind their instructions to their Paris correspondent,
and so for some days to come the young people were reduced to absurd
straits for the want of money.

* * * * *

After Pussy had gone, with her threat, Adelle burst into tears and
accused Archie of not supporting her in this battle. Was she not giving
up everything for him?--etc. Archie had his first lesson in being the
husband