considered that Tommy, with her red hair and freckles, and strange glances
and strange tones full of a naughty and malicious sweetness, was even more
peculiar than Miss Ingate. But she was not intimidated by them nor by the
illustrious Monsieur Dauphin, so perfectly master of his faculties. Rather
she was exultant in the contagion of their malice. Once more she felt as if
she had ceased to be a girl a very long time ago. And she was aware of
agreeable and exciting temptations.

"Are you taking a house in Paris?" inquired Monsieur Dauphin.

Audrey answered primly:

"I haven't decided. Should you advise me to do so?"

He waved a hand.

"Ah! It depends on the life you wish to lead. Who knows--with a young woman
who has all experience behind her and all life before her! But I do hope I
may see you again. And I trust I may persuade you to come to my studio
again." Audrey felt the thrill of drama as he proceeded. "This is scarcely
a night for you. I ought to tell you that I give three entertainments
during the autumn. To-night is the first. It is for students and those
English and Americans who think they are seeing Paris here. Then I give
another for the political and dramatic worlds. Each is secretly proud to
meet the other. The third I reserve to my friends. Some of my many friends
in London are good enough to come over specially for it. It is on
Christmas Eve. I do wish you would come to that one."

"I suppose," she said, catching the diabolic glances of Miss Ingate and
Tommy, "I suppose you know almost more people in London than in Paris?"