"What did I come for? Really, I hardly know! I am full of odd whims
and fancies, and I like to humour myself in my various ways. I think
I wanted to see a bit of California,--that's all!"

"Then why not see more of it?" persisted Manella.

"Enough is better than too much!" laughed Morgana--"I am easily
bored! This Plaza hotel would bore me to death! What do you want me
to stay for? To see your man on the mountain?"

"No!" Manella replied with sudden sharpness--"No! I would not like
you to see him! He would either hate you or love you!"

The grey-blue lightning flash glittered in Morgana's eyes.

"You ARE a curious girl!" she said, slowly--"You might be a tragic
actress and make your fortune on the stage, with that voice and that
look! And yet you stay here as 'help' in a Sanatorium! Well! It's a
dull, dreary way of living, but I suppose you like it!"

"I DON'T like it!" declared Manella, vehemently, "I hate it! But
what am I to do? I have no home and no money. I must earn my living
somehow."

"Will you come away with me?" said Morgana--"I'll take you at once
if you like!"

Manella stared in a kind of child-like wonderment,--her big dusky
eyes grew brilliant,--then clouded with a sombre sadness.