ilk, but she never had much trimming on them. Cut
plain and full, was almost always her directions. Well, now--yes, I
guess you'll have to wait till you go to Paree before you replenish
that side of your wardrobe. Is your Mr. Hawtree free with his money?"

"Yes, yes!" rejoined Pauline hurriedly. The fact being that after the
initial flourish and purchase of a few pieces of jewellery and other
trinkets Crabbe had tightened his purse-strings, as it were, not from
miserliness, but because it was necessary to use caution until they
reached London, when larger sums would be paid over on due recognition
of his identity. "Free enough for the present. As for me, I have
saved nothing, nothing! How could I, with this need for ready money
hanging over me? So I do not like to ask too much, just now, and, like
a man, he provides me with diamond earrings while I lack proper shoes
and an umbrella."

"Take mine!" said Miss Cordova earnestly. "It's real silk and it won't
matter if there's an 'S' on the handle. It was his--Stanbury's."

"My dear girl," cried Pauline, "I couldn't! You'll need it yourself.
See--it's silver mounted and valuable!"

"I know it, and that's why I want you should have it. We've been good
friends, Pauline, even if there is a difference in our education, and
I'd like to give you some little thing. Do please take the umbrella."

All Miss Clairville's latent womanliness sprang to the surface as she
jumped off the bed and enfolded her friend in a warm embrace.

"God knows, you will never be forgotten by me, Sara! We've struggled
together too long for that. You have a sweet temper and a kind heart,
and _le bon Dieu_ takes note of that. I wish now you _could_ marry Mr.
Poussette, for I see that you'll miss me when I'm gone, and that's not
a bad idea about your children. I hope I'll never have any; I'd be
afraid, I'd be afraid. Well, I'll accept the umbrella then, _in
memoriam_ if you like. And you take the white dress, and these long
yellow gloves, and this sash for Maisie, and here's a _bijou_ imitation
watch and chain for Jack--eh? What's the matter?"

Miss Cordova leant heavily on her friend.

"They are calling us," she said.

"Who are?"

"I don't know. Listen! Some one's wanted. It's me. It's me.
Perhaps Schenk's come! Pauline, what shall I do?"

"Absurd! No one can get here; you forget the roads and the snow.
Schenk? He is miles away!"

"Then it's for you. Yes. They're co