the
presiding genius that won for you the friendship of our hostess, that
Calavera never hears that speech, or within a week you will be at her
chariot-wheels! I have seen many women and loved many, but there are
none like Calavera. In her way she is the greatest artist that ever
breathed. As for her beauty, wait till you see her! She has a body which
makes me close my eyes and dream of Greece; eyes such as one seldom sees
save in a few parts of southern Spain; and as for her smile--well, if I
go on I shall begin to tell stories of her victims and neglect my
lunch."

The conversation drifted away to reminiscences of other great dancers.
Louise, under its cover, devoted her attention to her guest,

"First of all," she asked, "tell me how you like my little friend?"

"I think she is charming," John answered without hesitation. "We went to
a supper club last night and stayed there till about half past three."

"A supper club?"

John nodded.

"I have forgotten the name of the place, but they made me a member. It
was great fun. We had some more champagne, and Sophy danced. I found a
young man there whom I used to know."

"Really," said Louise, "I am not sure that I approve of this! A supper
club with Sophy until half past three in the morning!"

He looked at her quickly.

"You don't mind?"

"My dear man, why should I mind?" she returned. "What concern is it of
mine if you and Sophy care to amuse each other? It is exactly what I
hoped for."

"That's all right, then," John declared, with a sigh of relief. "Do you
know," he went on, lowering his voice, "that I am just a little
disappointed about today?"

"Disappointed? After I have taken the trouble to give a luncheon party
for you?"

"I should have thought it a greater compliment, and liked it better, if
you had asked me to lunch with you alone," he said.

She shook her head.

"It would have been a wasted opportunity. You have come up to London
with a purpose. You have an experiment to make, an experiment in living.
All these men can help you."

"The greater part of my experiment," he pointed out, "needs the help of
only one person, and that person is you."

She moved a little uneasily in her chair. It might have been his fancy,
but he imagined that she glanced under her eyelids toward the Prince of
Seyre. The prince, however, had turned almost ostentatiously away from
her. He was leaning across the table, talking to Faraday.

"You have not lost your g