"The last party Paxton gave was pleasanter than this," Christiansen whispered to Jane. "Are things going well with you?" "If I get through this début without mischance, I'm safe," she answered gaily. "Mrs. Brendon is on Jerry's side, but the Morton is aggrieved. Don't be too tender with her." "These are charming quarters, Mrs. Paxton, perfectly charming," said Mrs. Brendon effusively. "Don't you find it a trifle crowded?" asked Althea sweetly. "No. I had only one room before I married," replied Jane. "Oh, did you? How could you manage?" said Miss Morton, conveying pity for the poor in both tone and glance. "Some of us need a dozen costly rooms for our background; some of us bloom radiantly in one tiny chamber," said Christiansen. "Are you a poet as well as a critic, Mr. Christiansen?" she asked tartly. "Mrs. Paxton inspires unsuspected gifts," he retorted. Althea managed to get Jerry into a corner, where she gave him a bad half hour. Jane was glad to be rid of her. She quite enjoyed the others. She almost disgraced herself, when she heard Bobs giving Mrs. Brendon an elaborate and fictitious biography of their hostess. On the whole, the party went off very well. "Mrs. Paxton, your husband is to begin my portrait next week, so we shall see something of each other at my sittings," said Mrs. Brendon, at parting. "Do you paint here?" asked Althea. "Yes," said Jerry. "Can't you begin on mine next week, too? I could come the days Mrs. Brendon does not come." "Better wait until we are through with hers." "No. I want to begin at once." "Besieged! What a life these portrait painters lead," cried Christiansen. "Mrs. Brendon comes Monday at ten. Will you come at the same hour on Tuesday?" "Yes," she said, and laughed. "Good-bye, Mrs. Paxton. So nice to meet you." Jane bowed silently. Adieux followed and their voices trailed off down the hall. "Damned snobs!" remarked Bobs. "I thought they behaved very well," said Jerry haughtily. "Thank God I don't have to cater to them. You were just right, Jane. Kept them where they belonged." "I'm afraid I was a failure. They didn't seem real to me. They were like people on the stage. I couldn't talk to them." "You were all right. They were crazy about you," said Jerry. Jane laughed at that and startled them both. She laughed so rarely. "If I were Mrs. Jerry Paxton, I'd tell 'em to go plumb to ----. He could just manage them himself." "Free woman!" taunted Jerry. "You were a dear to come. I know it bored you," Jane interrupted. "You didn't need me," said Bobs, as she left. Jane sighed, and went to the dismantled table. Jerry, idly smoking, watched her. "Where did you get the grand air, Jane?" "Have I it?" "You certainly have. It's a great thing for a beginner.... Two portraits, and of those two women. It is a very good start indeed, Mrs. Jerome Paxton." "I'm glad." "Do you want to be rich, Jane?" "No. I think it hampers people." "How?"