sitting-room. Although it contained the same decoration and furniture
as the other rooms, it looked totally different! It was tasteful,
luxurious, comfortable, and habitable. The furniture seemed to have
fallen into harmonious position; even the staring decorations of the
walls and ceiling were toned down by sprays of laurel and red-stained
manzanito boughs with their berries, apparently fresh plucked from the
near canyon. But he was more unexpectedly impressed to see that the room
was at that moment occupied by a tall, handsome girl, who had paused
to take breath, with her hand still on the heavy centre-table she was
moving. Standing there, graceful, glowing, and animated, she looked the
living genius of the recreated apartment.


CHAPTER II


Mr. Rushbrook glanced rapidly at his unknown guest. "Excuse me," he
said, with respectful business brevity, "but I thought every one was
out," and he stepped backward quickly.

"I've only just come," she said without embarrassment, "and would you
mind, as you ARE here, giving me a lift with this table?"

"Certainly," replied Rushbrook, and under the young girl's direction the
millionaire moved the table to one side.

During the operation he was trying to determine which of his
unrecognized guests the fair occupant was. Possibly one of the Leyton
party, that James had spoken of as impending.