Silvette—a tall, free-limbed, healthy, and plumper edition of her sister—laughed. "In the first place," she said, "suppose we have luncheon. There is a fruit salad which I prepared after breakfast. Our maid is out, but we know how to do such things, having been made to when schoolgirls." "You’ll stay, won’t you?" asked Diana. "Poor Mr. Edgerton—where else is he to go?" said Silvette calmly. "Diana, if you’ll set places for three at that very beautiful and expensive antique table, I’ll bring some agreeable things from the refrigerator." "Could I be of any use?" inquired Edgerton, smiling. "Indeed, you can be. Talk to Diana and explain to her how respectable we are and you are, and how everything is certain to be properly arranged to everybody’s satisfaction. Diana has a very wonderful idea, and she’s come to one of her celebrated snap-shot conclusions—a conclusion, Mr. Edgerton, most flattering to you. Ask her." And she went away toward the kitchenette not at all embarrassed by her pretty morning attire nor by the thick braid of golden hair which hung to her girdle. Diana cast a swift glance at Edgerton, and, seeing him smile, smiled, too, and set about laying places for three with snowy linen, crystal, silver, and the lovely old Spode porcelain which had not its match in all the city. "It’s like a play or a novel," she said; "the hazard of our coming here the way we did, and of you coming back to America; but, of course, the same cause operated in both cases, so perhaps it isn’t so remarkable after all! And"—she repressed a laugh—"to think that I should mistake you for a malefactor! Did it seem to you that I behaved in a silly manner?" "On the contrary, you exhibited great dignity and courage and self-restraint." "Do you really mean it? I was nearly scared blue, and I was perfectly certain you’d stuffed your suit cases full of our toilet silver. _Wasn’t_ it funny, Mr. Edgerton! And _what_ did you think when you looked into your studio and saw a woman?" "I was—somewhat prepared." "Of course—after a glimpse into our bedroom! But that must have astonished you, didn’t it?" "Slightly. The first thing I saw was a white cat staring at me from the top of a trunk." She laughed, arranging the covers with deft touch. "And what next did you see?" "Garments," he explained briefly. "Oh! Yes, of course." "Also a silk-flowered slipper with a very high heel on the threshold." "Mine," she said. "You see, in the days of our affluence, I used to have a maid. I forget, and throw things about sometimes." "You’ve a maid now, haven’t you?" "Oh, just a combination cook and waitress until we can find employment. She’s horridly expensive, too, but it can’t be helped, because it would create an unfavorable impression if Silvie or I answered the door bell." "You’re quite right," he said; "people have a curious aversion to employing those who really need it. Prosperity never lacks employment. It’s odd, isn’t it?"