As for Maggie, when she looked at him, she flushed and her eyes grew bright. Larry was back!--the brilliant, daring Larry. She was aware that she had been successful in startling and gripping his attention. Yes, they would do great things together! When the dinner was finished and the dishes washed, Larry gave voice to this new urge that had so quickly grown up within him. “What do you say, Maggie, to a little walk?” “All right,” she replied eagerly. They went down the narrow stairway together. On the landing of the second floor, which contained only Maggie's bedroom and the Duchess's and a tiny kitchen, Maggie started to leave him to change into street clothes; but he caught her arm and said, “Come on.” They descended the next flight and came into the back room behind the pawnshop, which the Duchess used as a combination of sitting-room, office, and storeroom. About this musty museum hung or stood unredeemed seamen's jackets, men and women's evening wear, banjos, guitars, violins, umbrellas, and one huge green stuffed parrot sitting on top of the Duchess's safe. “I wanted to talk, not walk,” he said. “Let's stay here.” He took her hands and looked down on her steadily. Under the yellow gaslight her face gleamed excitedly up into his, her breath came quickly. “Well, sir, what do you think of me?” she demanded. “Have I changed much?” “Changed? Why, it's magic, Maggie! I left you a schoolgirl; you're a woman now. And a wonder!” “You think so?” She flushed with pride and pleasure, and a wildness of spirit possessed her and demanded expression in action. She freed her left hand and slipped it over Larry's shoulder. “Come on--let's two-step.” “But, Maggie, I've forgotten.” “Come on!” Instantly she was dragging him over the scanty floor space. But after a moment he halted, protesting. “These prison brogans were not intended by their builders for such work. If you've got to dance, you'll have to work it out of your system alone.” “All right!” At once, in the midst of the dingy room, humming the music, she was doing Carmen's dance--wild, provocative, alluring. It was not a remarkable performance in any professionally technical sense; but it had vivid personality; she was light, lithe, graceful, flashing with color and spirits. “Maggie!” he exclaimed, when she had finished and stood before him glowing and panting. “Good! Where did you learn that?” “In the chorus of a cabaret revue.” “Is that what you're doing now, working in a chorus?” “No. Barney and father said a chorus was no place for me.” She drew nearer. “Oh, Larry, I've such a lot to tell you.” “Go on.” “Well”--she cocked her head impishly--“I've been going to school.” “Going to school! Where?” “Lots of places. Just now I'm going to school at the Ritzmore Hotel.” “At the Ritzmore Hotel!” He stared at her bewildered. “What are you learning there?”