determined to take the bull by the horns. She sailed into the
Occidental Hotel one afternoon and up the stairs without pausing at
the desk. The clerk gave her a cursory glance. Mrs. Abbott went where
she listed, and, moreover, was obviously expected.

When she reached the Talbot parlor she halted a moment, and then
knocked loudly. Madeleine, who often received parcels, innocently
invited entrance. Mrs. Abbott promptly accepted the invitation and
walked in upon Masters and his hostess seated before the fire. The
former had a book in his hand, and, judging from the murmur that had
penetrated her applied ear before announcing herself, had been
reading aloud. ("As cozy as two bugs in a rug," she told her friends
afterward.)

"Oh, Mrs. Abbott! How kind of you!" Madeleine was annoyed to find
herself blushing, but she kept her head and entered into no
explanation. Masters, with his most politely aloof air, handed the
smiling guest to the sofa, and as she immediately announced that the
room was too warm for her, Madeleine removed her dolman. Mrs. Abbott
as ever was clad in righteous black satin trimmed with bugles and
fringe, and a small flat bonnet whose strings indifferently supported
her chins. She fixed her sharp small eyes immediately on Madeleine's
beautiful house gown of nile green camel's hair, made with her usual
sweeping lines and without trimming of any sort.

"Charming--charming--and so becoming with that lovely color you
have. New York, I suppose--"

"Oh, no, a seamstress made it. You must let me get you cake and a
glass of wine." The unwilling hostess crossed over to the hospitable