woman forgives."

"_I_ can't," said Hilda.

The Countess Olga's right shoulder moved toward her ear the fraction of
an inch.

"He's hateful, Hermia," continued Hilda quickly, "a gorilla of a man,
with a lowering brow, untidy hair, and a blue chin--"

"He is adorable," insisted Olga.

"How very interesting!" laughed Hermia. "An adorable philosopher, with
the impudence of the devil, and the blue chin of a gorilla! When did
you meet this logical--the zoological paradox?"

"Oh, in Paris. I knew him only slightly, but he moved in a set whose
edges touched mine--the talented people of mine. He had already made
his way. He has been back in America only a year. We met early in
the winter quite by chance. You know the rest. He has painted my
portrait--a really great portrait. You shall see."

"Oh, it _was_ this morning we were going, wasn't it? I'll be ready in
a moment, dear."

"But Hilda shall be left in the shopping district, finished Olga.

"By all means," said Miss Ashhurst scornfully.