"You are well cared for," she said, with a harsh, grating laugh, that vibrated strangely on the girl's ear. "You have the good things of life, while I have only the hardships. I am a fool to endure it. I have come to you to-night to help me--and you must do it." "Put the key in that door instantly, or I shall cry out for assistance. I have heard of insolence of beggars, but certainly this is beyond all imagination. How dare you force your obnoxious presence upon me? I will not listen to another word; you shall suffer for this outrage, woman! Open the door instantly, I say." She did not proceed any further in her breathless defiance of retort; the woman coolly interrupted her with that strange, grating laugh again, as she answered, authoritatively: "I shall not play at cross-purposes with you any longer; it is plainly evident there is little affection lost between us. You will do exactly as I say, Pluma; you may spare yourself a great deal that may be unpleasant--if you not only listen but quietly obey me. Otherwise--" Pluma sprung wildly to her feet. "Obey you! obey you!" She would have screamed the words in her ungovernable rage, had not a look from this woman's eyes, who used her name with such ill-bred familiarity, actually frightened her. "Be sensible and listen to what I intend you shall hear, and, as I said and repeat, obey. You have made a slight mistake in defying me, young lady. I hoped and intended to be your friend and adviser; but since you have taken it into your head to show such an aversion to me, it will be so much the worse for you, for I fully intend you shall act hereafter under my instructions; it has spoiled you allowing you to hold the reins in your own hands unchecked." "Oh, you horrible creature! I shall have you arrested and--" The woman interrupted her gasping, vindictive words again, more imperiously than before. "Hush! not another word; you will not tell any one a syllable of what has passed in this room." "Do you dare threaten me in my own house," cried Pluma, fairly beside herself with passion. "I begin to believe you are not aware to whom you are speaking. You shall not force me to listen. I shall raise the window and cry out to the guests below." "Very well, then. I find I am compelled to tell you something I never intended you should know--something that, unless I am greatly mistaken in my estimate of you, will change your high and mighty notions altogether." The woman was bending so near her, her breath almost scorched her cheek. "I want money," she said, her thin lips quivering in an evil smile, "and it is but right that you should supply me with it. Look at the diamonds, representing a fortune, gleaming on your throat, while I am lacking the necessaries of life." "What is that to me?" cried Pluma, scornfully. "Allow me to pass from the room, and I will send my maid back to you with a twenty-dollar note. My moments are precious; do not detain me." The woman laughed contemptuously.