"I told you I'd see to that," replied Mrs Hamilton. "I've had a young friend staying with me who was just about your build. She left one or two of her evening dresses behind her. If they don't quite fit, my maid will take them in." "You are good to me," said Mavis. "If you like it, I'll give you one." "How can I ever thank you?" "You can to-night." "To-night?" "Listen. I've two old friends coming to dinner. One is a Mr--Mr Ellis, but he won't interest you a bit." "Why not?" "He's old and is already infatuated." "Isn't the other, then?" asked Mavis lightly. "Mr--Mr Williams! No. I wonder if you'd interest him." "I don't suppose so for one moment," remarked Mavis. "You're too modest. Mr Williams is young, good-looking, rich." "Money doesn't interest me." "Nonsense!" "Really, it doesn't." "Not after your wanting work for so long?" "Not a bit." "Not when you see it can buy things like mine?" "Of course money is wonderful, but it isn't everything." "You say that because you don't know. Money is power, happiness, contentment, life. And you know it in your heart of hearts. Every woman, who is anything at all, knows it. Surely, after all you've gone through, it appeals to you?" Mrs Hamilton anxiously watched Mavis's face. "Not a bit like it seems to--to some people," replied Mavis. Mrs Hamilton's face fell. She was lost in anxious thought for some moments. "Do you mind?" asked Mavis. "Of course not. But we'll talk it over after you've seen Mr Williams." "But is it so necessary for his happiness that he should be infatuated with anyone?" "It might keep him from worse things. He's very impulsive and romantic. I've quite a motherly interest in the boy. You might assist me to reclaim him." [Footnote: ]Although Mrs Hamilton spoke such maternal sentiments, Mavis looked in vain for the motherly expression upon her face, which she felt should inevitably accompany such words. Mrs Hamilton's face was hard, expressionless, cold. Presently she said: "If you would care to go to your room, it's on the next floor, and the second door you come to on the right. If it isn't good enough, let me know." "It's sure to be," remarked Mavis. "Parkins, my maid, will come to you in ten minutes. Rest till then, as to-night I want you to look your best." Mavis thanked and left Mrs Hamilton. She then found her way to her chamber. She was as surprised and delighted with this as she had been with the other two rooms, perhaps more so, because she reflected, with an immense satisfaction, that it might be her very own. The room was furnished throughout with satinwood; blue china bowls decorated the tops of cabinets; a painted satinwood spinet stood in a corner; the hearth was open and tiled throughout with blue Dutch tiles; the fire burned in a brass brazier which was suspended from the chimney. Thought Mavis, as she looked rapturously about her: "Just the room I should love to have had for always, if--if things had been different."