"No. If you don't mind, I'd sooner mail it myself. It's a sort of a last--last message, you know. I'd like to send it myself." Brockton went to the armchair, took his coat, and put it on. "All right," he said cheerily. "You're a little upset now, and I'm going. We are all to dine together to-night at seven-thirty. There'll be a party. Of course you'll come." "I don't think I can," she answered, with some embarrassment. "You see----" He understood. Nodding and pointing to the money he had left on the table, he said: "I know. I guess there's enough there for your immediate needs. Later you can straighten things up. Shall I send the car?" "Yes, please." He drew nearer and bent over her, as if about to caress her. Instinctively she shrank from his embrace. What at any other time would have appeared perfectly natural was now repugnant to her. It seemed indecent when the ink on her letter to John Madison was not yet dry. "Please don't," she said. "Remember, we don't dine until seven-thirty." "All right," he laughed, as he took his hat and cane and went out of the door. For a few minutes after his departure Laura sat in meditative silence. There was no drawing back now. She had accepted this man's money. She must go on to the end, no matter where it led her. She had sold herself; henceforth she was this man's slave and chattel. Suddenly she was seized with a feeling of disgust. She loathed herself for her weakness, her lack of stamina, her cowardice. She did not deserve that a decent man should love or respect her. Angry at herself, angry with the world, she rose, and going to the dresser, got the alcohol lamp and placed it on the table. While she was lighting it there came a knock at the door. "Come in," she called out. Annie entered. "Is that you, Annie?" "Yassum," said the negress. Laura took the bank notes which Brockton had left and threw them on the table. With affected carelessness, she said: "Mrs. Farley wants her rent. There is some money. Take it to her." Approaching the table, the negress' eyes nearly started out of her head when she caught sight of the bank notes. Bewildered, she exclaimed: "Dey ain't nothin' heah, Miss Laura, but five great big one hundred dollah bills!" "Take two," said Laura. "And look in that upper drawer. You'll find some pawn-tickets there." "Yassum," said the negress, obeying instructions. "Dat's real money--dem's yellow backs, sure!" "Take the two top ones," continued Laura, "and go get my lace gown and one of the hats. The ticket is for a hundred and ten dollars. Keep ten for yourself, and hurry." Annie gasped from sheer excitement. "Ten for myself?" she grinned. "I never seen so much money. Yassum, Miss Laura, yassum." As she went toward the door she turned round, and said: "Ah'm so mighty glad yo' out all yo' trouble, Miss Laura. I says to Mis' Farley, now----" Laura cut her off short. "Don't--don't!" she exclaimed sharply. "Go do as I tell you, and mind your business."