fancied that it did.

"Ah, Carl, so you've arrived!" she exclaimed, coming forward and
ignoring all her visitors except Marie and myself.

"Yes, Emmeline, dear," said Marie, "we've come. And, please, I want to
see something in the crystal. How do you do it?"

Emmeline glanced around.

"Sullivan said my crystal-gazing would be a failure," she smiled. "But
it isn't, is it? I came in here as soon as I had done receiving, and
I've already had I don't know how many clients. I sha'n't be able to
stop long, you know. The fact is, Sullivan doesn't like me being here
at all. He thinks it not right of the hostess...."

"But it's perfectly charming of you!" some one put in.

"Perfectly delicious!" said Marie.

"Now, who shall I take first?" Emmeline asked, puzzled.

"Oh, me, of course!" Marie Deschamps replied without a hesitation or a
doubt, though she and I had come in last. And the others acquiesced,
because Marie was on the topmost bough of all.

"Come along, then," said Emmeline, relieved.

I made as if to follow them.