"Why Lillian, I find your gown charming, and would not have you change it for the world; I exclaimed simply because I did not expect to see you _en grande toilette_." "It did not occur to me that I was inappropriately dressed, but of course I am not conversant with your customs here." The covert sneer was not lost upon Helen, and she flushed painfully at the sharp words. With her usual self-depreciation she felt reproached for what she considered her lack of tact and courtesy. "I don't know how to tell you how sorry I am, Lillian," she murmured, with deep contrition, "for my inadvertent speech. I never knew you to look lovelier. Won't you please believe me when I tell you that?" The naïveté of the compliment touched Miss Stuart, and she smiled gayly into Helen's troubled eyes. "I admit that I did not understand you at first. I thought that I was guilty of a social error. However, it is all right now." Helen put her hand on her shoulder, and turned her gently around. "I want to really see your gown. It is exquisite. What perfect taste you have, Lillian." Miss Stuart's gown was of the palest shade of green velvet, made so simply as to be almost severe in its lines. The low-cut bodice was ornamented with some fine cut jet, and a little dagger of the same was thrust through the soft coil of auburn hair which crowned her small and shapely head. Her neck and arms shone dazzlingly fair, and the contour of the firm white throat would have delighted the eyes of an artist. The long straight lines of her gown accentuated her height, which was somewhat above the average, and she carried herself with regal grace. Helen gazed at her a moment in silent admiration. She absolutely worshiped beauty, and its power over her was very great. Had anyone hinted to her that it was chiefly this in Miss Stuart which so charmed her, she would have indignantly refuted the accusation, and yet in a great measure it was true. Many and many a time she had cause to puzzle over her friend--aye, almost to distrust and fear her; but the power of the girl's great beauty blinded her and left her helpless to condemn one who possessed such infinite attraction. The silence lasted but a moment, yet Miss Stuart had read Helen's verdict in her transparent face, and her pulses quickened with triumphant hope. "Well, well," she cried laughingly, at length, "are you spellbound, and have you forgotten your guests?" Helen cast a hurried glance at the clock. "Why, it is seven. I must run down at once. Follow me as soon as you can, dear."