She was dark eyed, dark haired; Cis thought that she had never seen anyone so pale; her olive skin, naturally beautiful in tint and texture, was almost greenish in its livid tint; there were great circles under her eyes which looked sunken, as if they had been staring wide open into the dark for sleepless nights. Cis forgot her embarrassment, her uneasiness as to what might be before her because of her share in what had befallen this girl, in an overwhelming pity for the grief which had thus wrecked her loveliness. Miss Lucas suddenly spoke, clasping and twisting her fingers, her hands thrust forward on her knees, her eyes burning as they stared at Cis. “I’ve seen you before,” she said. “I was introduced to you at a benefit for the Orphans; I served cream. I didn’t expect you to remember me,” Cis answered. “You have a face to be remembered,” Jeanette Lucas said. “We had hard work tracing you. We--I, rather--wanted to find the girl who----” she broke off; her low, husky notes gave way to a strident tone in her voice. She waved her hands as if she were throwing something away. “See here, Miss Adair, we’ve got to talk frankly, as one girl to another. There has been too much between us to beat about the bush, to try for foolish, futile disguises of speech.” “I never like them,” said Cis. “Then--why did you do what you did? Do you know--have you ever known--Herbert Dale?” demanded Jeanette, speaking with such eagerness that she could hardly enunciate. “Never. I’ve seen him,” replied Cis. “But you knew that night who he was; you knew it was something concerning me nearly, horribly, tragically nearly. How?” “He called you often; we get used to voices and ways on the wire, Miss Lucas. All the world knew from the papers that you were to be married; that’s easy to explain,” Cis answered gently. “What was your motive? Why did you connect me with that wire? Did you hate him, or me?” asked Jeanette. “Oh, Miss Lucas, why do you say that? Can’t you see why I did it?” cried Cis distressed. “I’d been admiring you; you’re so pretty, so fine, so good, so stainless! It made me sick to think that you might be walking into unhappiness, blind, tricked. I did what I’d want done for me in your place; I put you where you could know, and then whatever you did, you’d do with your eyes open. I wanted you to have a square deal, dear Miss Lucas.”