"Are you a model, then? But no; models look not as you look." "I am not a model." "Not! _fi donc!_ You are, perhaps, one of those young misses who write Geraldo letters of love. _A la bonne heure!_ I wish to see one of them--_moi_." With a saucy smile Carlotta pocketed the key, turned up the gas, and commenced a cool scrutiny of her prisoner. Eugenia blushed crimson. "_Qui vous etes belle, ma chere--belle mais blonde_, and Geraldo, he loves not the blonde." "Let me pass!" said Eugenia, stamping her foot. Her tormentor laughed, but not ill-temperedly. "He will soon be here," she said mockingly. "Surely Mademoiselle will wait. He will be enchanted to see one of the young misses." Mlle. Carlotta, when not injured, was not vindictive or unkindly; but she was as mischievous as a monkey. No doubt, having teased the girl to her satisfaction, she would have soon released her, but it happened that Eugenia turned her head, and for the first time the light shone full upon her face. Her gaoler started. She sprang towards her, seized her arm and dragged her across the room. Still holding her captive, she tore down a sheet and revealed the clay model of the statue which had made Gerald famous. She looked from the lifeless to the living face then burst into a peal of derisive laughter. Eugenia's secret was discovered. "Ha! ha! ha! The young miss that Geraldo loved. The one who threw him away for a rich lover! Yet, she wishes to see him again--so at night she comes. Ah, Mademoiselle, you have w-r-r-recked him, c-r-r-rushed him, r-r-ruined him, still would see him. Good; good! it is now his turn. My Gerald shall have revenge--revenge!" Eugenia, thoroughly aroused, commanded her to let her go. Carlotta laughed in her face, was even ill-bred enough to snap her fingers and poke out her tongue at her prisoner. Eugenia humbled herself, and implored her by their common womanhood. Carlotta laughed the louder. Eugenia appealed to her venality, and tried to bribe her. Carlotta lowered her black eyebrows and scowled, but laughed louder than ever. "He will come very soon," was all she said. "He will not stop long away from me--Carlotta." Miss Herbert was at her wit's end. Yet, even through the shame of the situation, the anguish of her heart made itself felt. After having wrought herself up to make such a sacrifice, such an atonement, it was pitiable to find Gerald no better than the rest of his sex! She sat upon a chair longing for release, yet dreading to hear the step which would herald it.