sive. A hundred a
year is absurd."

"If it were two hundred a year it wouldn't be a penny too much if you
really like it, if you will feel happy and at home in it. I'm going to
furnish it for you, quite simply, of course. Just rugs and a divan or
two, and a screen to shut out the door, two or three pretty comfortable
chairs, some draperies--only thin ones, nothing heavy to spoil the
acoustics--a few cushions, a table or two. Oh, and you must have a
spirit-lamp, a little _batterie de cuisine_, and perhaps a tea-basket."

"But, my dear Charmian--"

"Hush, old boy! You have genius, but you don't understand these things.
These are the woman's things. I shall love getting together everything.
Surely you don't want to spoil my little fun. I've made a failure of
your workroom in Kensington. Do let me try to make a success of the
studio."

What could Claude do but thank her, but let her have her way?

The studio was taken for three years and furnished. For days Charmian
talked and thought of little else. She was prompted, carried on, by two
desires--one, that Claude should be able to work hard as soon as
possible; the other, that people should realize what an energetic,
capable, and enthusiastic woman she was. The Madame Sennier spirit
attended her in her goings out and her comings in, armed her with
energy, with gaiety, with patience.

When at length all was ready, she said:

"Claude, to-morrow I want you to do something for me."

"What is it? Of course I will do it. You've been so good, giving up
everything for the studio."

Charmian had really given up several parties, and explained why she
could not go to them to inquiring hostesses of the "set."

"I want you to let us _pendre la cremaillere_ to-morrow evening all
alone, just you and I together."

"In the studio?"

"Of course."

"Well, but"--he smiled, then laughed rather awkwardly--"but what could
we do there all alone? What is there to do? And, besides, there's that
party at Mrs. Shiffney's to-morrow night. We were both going to that."

"We could go there afterward if we felt inclined. But--I don't know that
I want to go to Adelaide Shiffney just now."

"But why not?"

"Perhaps--only perhaps, remember--I'll tell you to-morrow night in the
studio."

She assumed in the last words that the matter was settled, and Claude
raised no further objection. He saw she was set upon the carrying out of
her plan. There was will in her long eyes. He could not help