ogy provided the only clue she got to the import
of Victor's words. Sobered a trifle, her mental processes somewhat less
incoherent, still she knew she would hardly regain her poise until she was
alone. And breathing an excuse, she left the room with such dignity as she
could muster.

In the hall, with the closed door behind her, she paused to collect
herself. Then she missed furs and gloves and handbag and, remembering that
she had left them in the study, for some obscure reason imagined she must
have them before proceeding to her room.

Much more mistress of herself by now, it never occurred to Sofia that there
could be any reason why she should hesitate about returning or feel
embarrassed before Victor. True, he had surprised them, Sofia was not at
all sure he hadn't actually seen her in Karslake's arms. But what of that?
Love like hers was nothing to be ashamed of; and that Victor could
reasonably object to her giving her heart to one of his secretaries was
something far from her thought just then.

She put a hand to the knob, turned it, and swung the door open--all on
impulse--then faltered, transfixed by the tableau before the fireplace.

The door was silent on its hinges, and Karslake's back was to her. Victor,
on the other hand, facing both Karslake and the door, unquestionably saw
Sofia, but pretended not to, and had his say out with Karslake in a manner
bitterly cynical.

"... sadly in error if you flatter yourself I pay you a wage to make love
to Sofia behind my back."

"Sorry, sir." Karslake's tone was level, respectful but firm. "Your
instructions were, I believe, to win her confidence. Well--I have always
found love the one sure key to a woman's confidence. Of course, if I had
understood you cared one way or the other--"

Sofia heard no more: unconsciously she had closed the door, at one and the
same time shutting from her sight Victor's exultant sneer and from her
hearing the words with which the man whom she loved had damned himself
irretrievably and dashed her spirit from radiant pinnacles of ecstasy into
the profoundest black abyss of shame and despair.

Primitive instinct bade the stricken girl seek her room and hide her
suffering there; but the shock had stunned her to the point of physical
weakness. Already a hand was pressed above her heart, that ached cruelly;
and as she moved to cross to the foot of the staircase her knees gave under
her. She clutched the newel-post for support, waiting t