"Not to me?" said Doré gently. Snyder drew a long breath, and turned to her swiftly, with an appealing look, in which, however, there was no weakness. Then she laid her finger across her lips. "Here--breakfast is ready; sit down!" "Snyder, I don't understand you; you hurt me!" said Doré, opening her eyes. The woman stood a moment, locking and unlocking her hands, swinging from foot to foot. "Can't help it. You can't make me over. I've got my rut!" She shrugged her shoulders. "I'm damned unsociable--perhaps I'd better dig out." "Snyder!" exclaimed Doré, bounding to her side. She took her in her arms, crying: "Why, it was only to help you!" "Well, you can't!" said the other, with a forcible shake of her head, her body stiff against the embrace. And there the conversation ended. It was after nine, and still no sound at the telephone. Doré began to feel an uneasy impatience. At any minute, now, certainly he must summon her. Snyder made an excuse and went out. But she ceased to think of her. Her thoughts were no longer keen to another's suffering, but sensitive to her own. She grew tired of pacing restlessly, and flung herself down on the couch, her head turned toward the clock, watching it wearily. Why didn't he telephone--or, at least, come? This sensation of suspense and waiting, which she had so often dealt out to others, was new to her. It disarranged her whole self, aroused fierce resentful thoughts in her. He wished to tantalize her, to draw her on, as he had the night before--to be cruel, to make her suffer! Well, she too could be cruel. She would do something to hurt him, too. "Very well! Now I _will_ go to see Harrigan Blood," she said all at once, choking with something that was not entirely anger. And hastily slipping into her coat, she went hurriedly to Ida Summers' room, awoke her and took her with her. CHAPTER XI Mr. Peavey's automobile was waiting. Doré had telephoned for it while Ida Summers, protesting, had made a quick toilet. She had at first thought of availing herself for the day of the car so insistently pressed upon her; but she was not yet quite sure of Brennon, the chauffeur. If by any chance she should decide to keep her appointment with Sassoon, it would not be wise to accept such escort. So she supplemented the day's preparations by a message to Stacey, who was given a later rendezvous. "Down-town! The _Free Press_ building. Hope I didn't get you up too early, Brennon?" He grinned at her ideas of morning values. "He looks as if he were a good sort," Doré thought, meditating on the possibilities long after she and Ida had tucked themselves in. "I say, Do, what's the game? Give us the cue!" said Ida Summers, making heroic efforts to get her eyes open. "Your cue is to be real sisterly," said Doré. "Stick close, unless I give you the wink."