ouse and
she followed him from room to room, leaving him to do all the talking.
She seemed very little interested but every now and then she asked a
languid question.

"I do not think that it is in the least likely to suit me," she decided
at last. "It is all very magnificent, of course, but I consider that the
rent is exorbitant."

Tavernake regarded her thoughtfully.

"I believe," he said, "that our client might be disposed to consider
some reduction, in the event of your seriously entertaining taking the
house. If you like, I will see him on the subject. I feel sure that the
amount I have mentioned could be reduced, if the other conditions were
satisfactory."

"There would be no harm in your doing so," she assented. "How soon can
you come and let me know?"

"I might be able to ring you up this evening; certainly to-morrow
morning," he answered.

She shook her head.

"I will not speak upon the telephone," she declared. "I only allow it in
my rooms under protest. You must come and tell me what your client says.
When can you see him?"

"It is doubtful whether I shall be able to find him this evening," he
replied. "It would probably be to-morrow morning."

"You might go and try at once," she suggested.

He was a little surprised.

"You are really interested in the matter, then?" he inquired.

"Yes, yes," she told him, "of course I am interested. I want you to come
and see me directly you have heard. It is important. Supposing you are
able to find your client to-night, shall you have seen the young lady
before then?"

"I am afraid not," he answered.

"You must try," she begged, laying her fingers upon his shoulder. "Mr.
Tavernake, do please try. You can't realize what all this anxiety means
to me. I am not at all well and I am seriously worried about--about that
young lady. I tell you that I must have an interview with her. It is not
for my sake so much as hers. She must be warned."

"Warned?" Tavernake repeated. "I really don't understand."

"Of course you don't!" she exclaimed impatiently. "Why should you
understand? I don't want to offend you, Mr. Tavernake," she went on
hurriedly. "I would like to treat you quite frankly. It really isn't
your place to make difficulties like this. What is this young lady to
you that you should presume to consider yourself her guardian?"

"She is a boarding-house acquaintance," Tavernake confessed, "nothing
more."

"Then why did you tell me, only a moment ago, t