“I am not an instructor of Youth. I have not been called upon to decide. I do not feel it my duty to go even now into detail.” “You need not,” broke in the hard young voice. “I know everything in the world. I’m BLACK with knowing.” “Mademoiselle Valle will discuss that point with you. What you have, unfortunately, been forced to learn is that it is not safe for a girl—even a girl without beauty—to act independently of older people, unless she has found out how to guard herself against—devils.” The words broke from him sharply, with a sudden incongruous hint of ferocity which was almost startling. “You have been frightened,” he said next, “and you have discovered that there are devils, but you have not sufficient experience to guard yourself against them.” “I have been so frightened that I shall be a coward—a coward all my life. I shall be afraid of every face I see—the more to be trusted they look, the more I shall fear them. I hate every one in the world!” Her quite wonderful eyes—so they struck Lord Coombe—flamed with a child’s outraged anguish. A thunder shower of tears broke and rushed down her cheeks, and he rose and, walking quietly to the window full of flowers, stood with his back to her for a few moments. She neither cared nor knew whether it was because her hysteric emotion bored or annoyed him, or because he had the taste to realize that she would not wish to be looked at. Unhappy youth can feel no law but its own. But all was over during the few moments, and he turned and walked back to his chair. “You want very much to do some work which will insure your entire independence—to take some situation which will support you without aid from others? You are not yet prepared to go out and take the first place which offers. You have been—as you say—too hideously frightened, and you know there are dangers in wandering about unguided. Mademoiselle Vallé,” turning his head, “perhaps you will tell her what you know of the Duchess of Darte?” Upon which, Mademoiselle Vallé took hold of her hand and entered into a careful explanation. “She is a great personage of whom there can be no doubt. She was a lady of the Court. She is of advanced years and an invalid and has a liking for those who are pretty and young. She desires a companion who is well educated and young and fresh of mind. The companion who had been with her for many years recently died. If you took her place you would live with her in her town house and go with her to the country after the season. Your salary would be liberal and no position could be more protected and dignified. I have seen and talked to her grace myself, and she will allow me to take you to her, if you desire to go.”