place. Jarvis furnished it, even to the books, and I'm studying to
be a lady." Again she laughed mockingly. "I make a bluff at
reading, but so long as I talk about Napoleon he never thinks to
question me. I know that French gink backward."

"I wish I had a hobby--something to interest me, something to live
for," said Lorelei, lamely.

"Yes. It gives you something to think about when you're alone. It
helps you to--stand things." For the first time Lilas showed a
trace of feeling in her voice; she dropped her chin into her palm
and, leaning upon the table, stared as if at a vision. Her dark
eyes were somber, her brows were lowered and drawn together.

The slipshod informality of the meal, the constant faultfinding of
the hostess, made it something of a trial. Lorelei was not sorry
when it was over and Lilas took her to look at the vacant flat.

Miss Moore's apartment offered a wide contrast to the one they had
just quitted, being very small and very modestly furnished; but it
was on the second floor, convenient to both elevator and stairway,
it boasted a piano, and the superintendent allowed his prospective
tenant to name her own terms. She descended with relief, feeling
that she had made not a bad bargain.

She stated, as she sank into Lilas's big library chair, "I feel
quite independent at last. The rent is ridiculous, and I can do my
own cooking."

"Don't make a fool of yourself. You can do as well as I've done.