This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

way. Even in the War she lost nothing. So everybody must do each little thing exactly as she wishes. My friend, you saw how it was upon the steamer: after she came out of her cabin again, I did not dare to speak to you. It was for fear of displeasing her; for fear she would make a terrible scene with me. I was afraid even to look at you!"

Ogle was still capable of doubting her. "But you weren't afraid of looking at—at that Tinker!" he said. "You certainly——"

"No, no!" She turned to him, surprised. "Not after she was well again. Until then, yes; but not after."

"What!" Ogle cried indignantly. "Why, he told me himself you've been going about with him here in Algiers. He said you——"

"Oh, in Algiers; yes," she returned frankly; and in spite of her tragic overcasting, there was a twinkling in her eyes. "I could not resist that! Algiers is larger than a steamer. I told dreadful lies at 'Colline des Roses' and ran away to be with him because I thought if I could be amused I could endure a little longer what that terrible old woman was making me suffer. It was because with him I could laugh a little bit and forget Mademoiselle Daurel."