even now "make talk;" but she did not falter, nor look to the
right or left as she at last entered the dingy doorway and ascended the
worn staircase.

Scarcely pausing before the black-lettered door, she walked into the
anteroom, and apparently her entrance sent a communication to the inner
office; for while she stood for a moment looking dubiously at the
uninviting chairs, a tall young man entered the room. Miss Lacey viewed
him with curiosity and surprise.

He greeted her courteously and brought forward one of the chairs. She
wiped the finger of her gray glove along its edge and examined it.

"I guess you don't have ladies here much," she remarked dryly.

"Oh, is it dusty?" he returned, pulling out his handkerchief with a
sudden jerk and wiping the broken cane seat.

"Here's another place;" she pointed an accusing gray finger.

Dunham obediently dusted and she lowered her person gingerly upon the
chair.

"Now don't you put that dirty thing back in your pocket," she said, and
the young man paused midway in the act, and finally laid the
handkerchief on the gray mantelpiece.

"You don't receive many ladies here, I imagine," repeated Miss Lacey,
her nostrils dilating.

"No, very few," returned Dunham, flushed. "What can I do for you,
madam?"

"Nothing, I guess, except dust the chair. I'm sure I'm much obliged to
you for that and I'm sorry that you took your nice handkerchief. You
ought to have some soft cheesecloth here."

"I'll--mention it," said Dunham. "May I ask your business?"

"No, you may not," returned Miss Martha equably. "Is Judge Trent in?"

The young lawyer collected himself. "I represent Judge Trent," he said
briefly.

"Not to me you don't, young man," rejoined the visitor coolly.

They regarded each other for a moment.

"I wish to see Judge Trent," said Martha at last.

"He is very busy; but if you will tell me the nature of"--

"Busy? So am I," returned Miss Lacey brusquely, "and if you imagine
that I am going to climb up to this office and then leave it without
seeing the judge you're mistaken. You might give me something to read
if he'll be long."

"Do you think you would care for Blackstone?" asked the young lawyer.
"There isn't much choice here."

"I shouldn't mind looking at it. I've always known that a little common
sense would revise the law so that a lot of this absurd red tape could
be cut out."

"Then the world has been waiting for you many years; Mrs.--Mrs."--

"Not