Truly, Cora was bound to the rack with cords of conventionality as fine as cobwebs, yet as strong as ropes. She did nothing but sit still in her chamber and brood; dreading the entrance of her abhorrent room-mate every moment. But Rose Stillwater--who read Cora Rothsay's thoughts as easily as she could read a familiar book--acted with her usual discretion. As long as Cora chose to remain in their joint chamber, Rose forbore to exercise her own right of entering it. Not until the afternoon did Corona come out into the parlor. Then she found Rose seated at the window, watching the busy scene on the Broadway pavement below, the hurried promenaders jostling as they passed each other on going up and coming down; the street peddlers, the walking advertisements, and all other sights never noticed by a citizen of the town, but looked at with curiosity by a stranger from the country. Rose turned as Corona entered, and ignoring all reserve, said sweetly: "I hope you have been resting, dear, and that you feel refreshed. Shall I ring and order luncheon? I wish to do all I can, dear, to prove my appreciation of all the kindness shown me; yet not to be officious." Now, how could Cora repulse the advances of so very good humored a woman? She believed her to be false and designing. She longed with all her heart and soul to be rid of the woman and her insidious influence. Yet she could not hear that sweet voice, those meek words, or meet those soft blue eyes, and maintain her manner of freezing politeness. "If you please," she answered, gently, and then said to herself: "Heavens! what a hypocrite this unwillingness to hurt the woman's feelings does make me!" Rose rang the bell and ordered the luncheon. They sat down in apparent amity to partake of it. The afternoon waned and evening came, but brought no Iron King back to the hotel. "Have you any idea at what hour Mr. Rockharrt will return, dear?" inquired Mrs. Stillwater, in her most dulcet tones. "Not the slightest." "I think he said something about going down to Wall Street to see after the forming of a syndicate in connection with his grand speculation. What is a syndicate, dear?" "I don't know--it may be an agency or a company--" "Or it may be something connected with the building of the new synagogue, which it is said is to be constructed of iron."