"It's the most extraordinary thing I've ever heard!" she was saying. "Beth, just listen to this." And she read aloud: "66 HOLBORN VIADUCT, LONDON. "DEAR MADAM, "Having seen your portrait, as a noted beauty, published in _The Princess_, _The Ladies' Court Journal_, and other leading pictorials, we venture to submit to you a sample of our famous Eau de Venus, an invaluable adjunct to the toilet of any lady possessing a delicate complexion. It is a perfectly harmless, fragrantly scented fluid, which, if applied daily after breakfast, produces a rose-leaf bloom which is absolutely incomparable. As it is a new preparation, we are anxious to submit it to a few ladies of influence in the fashionable world, feeling sure that, once used, they will recommend it. "We shall esteem it a great favour if you will graciously try the enclosed sample. We do not ask for testimonials, but any expression of appreciation from one who figured so admirably as Queen of the Roses at the Barrfield Pageant would be to us a source of immense gratification. "May we recommend that the preparation be applied immediately after breakfast, as its ingredients are more potent to the delicate pores of the skin if used at that period of the morning. "With apologies for troubling you, and hoping you will condescend to give our Eau de Venus at least a trial, "We remain, "Faithfully yours, "RENAN, MARIETTE, ET CIE, Parfumeurs." "How very peculiar!" gasped Beth, much impressed. "It must be because they saw my photo in the papers," said Stephanie. She was trying to speak casually, and not to appear too flattered, but her eyes shone. "I believe that pageant made rather a sensation, and of course, well, I was the principal figure in it. I suppose I shall have to try this Eau de Venus." "It's in a funny little bottle," commented Beth. "Samples generally are. They never send you very much of a thing. They want you to buy a big bottle afterwards." Stephanie carefully removed the cork. The preparation seemed to be of a pink, milky description. "It smells of violets," she said, offering the bottle for Beth to sniff. "I should certainly try it, if I were you," recommended the latter. "It says it's quite harmless," continued Stephanie, referring to the letter, "and should be used immediately after breakfast. Well, there's no time like the present!" If there was a curious agitation on the other side of the partition, neither girl noticed it. Stephanie poured some of the liquid into her hand and rubbed it over her face. Then she turned to the looking-glass. "It seems very pink and queer! It's all in red streaks!" "Perhaps you've put on too much. Wipe some of it off," advised Beth. Vigorous measures with a sponge followed, and Stephanie anxiously surveyed the result. "It won't come off!" she faltered. "Oh, what have I done to myself? I'm all red smears!"