ell dressed,
that she had a face of some beauty, that her eyes were full of
glamour--black and bold, and, in a challenging way, beautiful. It was a
face and figure full of daring. She was not French-Canadian; yet she was
French; that was clear from her accent. Yet the voice had an accent of
crudity, and the plump whiteness of the skin and waving fulness of the
hair gave the girl a look of an adventuress. She was dressed in black
with a white collar which, by contrast, seemed to heighten her unusual
nature.

At first Junia shuddered, for Luzanne's presence made her uneasy; yet
the girl must have good qualities, for she had brought comforts to the
sick woman, and indeed, within, madame had spoken of the "dear beautiful
stranger." That could be no other than this girl. She became composed.
Yet she had a feeling that between them was a situation needing all her
resources. About what? She would soon know, and she gave her name at
last slowly, keeping her eyes on those of Luzanne.

At mention of the name, Luzanne's eyes took on prejudice and moroseness.
The pupils enlarged, the lids half closed, the face grew sour.

"Junia Shale--you are Junia Shale?" The voice was bitter and resentful.

Junia nodded, and in her smile was understanding and conflict, for she
felt this girl to be her foe.

"We must have a talk--that's sure," Luzanne said with decision.

"Who are you?" asked Junia calmly. "I am Luzanne Larue."

"That makes me no wiser."

"Hasn't Carnac Grier spoken of me?"

Junia shook her head, and turned her face towards the door of Madame
Grandois' room. "Had we not better go somewhere else to talk, after
you've seen Madame Grandois and the baby?" she asked with a smile, yet
she felt she was about to face an alarming event. "Madame Grandois has
spoken pleasantly of you to me," Junia added, for tact was her prompt
faculty. "If you'd come where we could talk undisturbed--do you see?"

Luzanne made no reply in words, but taking up the dish she went into
the sick-room, and Junia heard her in short friendly speech with Madame
Grandois. Luzanne appeared again soon and spoke: "Now we can go where
I'm boarding. It's only three doors away, and we can be safe there.
You'd like to talk with me--ah, yes, surelee!"

Her eyes were combative and repellent, but Junia was not dismayed, and
she said: "What shall we talk about?"

"There's only one thing and one person to talk about, ma'm'selle."

"I still don't know what you mean