Miss Lynn turned, revealing a countenance as shiny as that of an
Eskimo belle. With her war-paint only half applied and her hair
secured closely to her small head, she did not in the least
resemble the dashing "Countess" of the program.

"Oh, they're real enough. I got that straight."

Campbell Pope scoffed.

"Isn't it true about the King of Seldovia? Didn't she wreck his
throne?" eagerly queried Mrs. Knight.

"I never met the King, and I haven't examined his throne. But, you
know, kings can do no wrong, and thrones are easily mended."

But Mrs. Knight was insistent; her eyes glittered, her sharp nose
was thrust forward inquisitively. "They say she draws two thousand
a week, and won't go to supper with a man for less than five
hundred dollars. She says if fellows want to be seen in public
with her they'll have to pay for it, and she's right. Of course,
she's terribly bad, but you must admit she's done mighty well for
herself."

"We'll have a chance to see her to-night," announced Lilas. "Mr.
Hammon is giving a big supper to some of his friends and we're
going--Lorelei and I. Demorest is down for her 'Danse de Nuit.'
They say it's the limit."

"Hammon, the steel man?" queried the critic, curiously.