Beatrice had selected Valentine as her maid after trying more than a score of various nationalities. She had selected her because Valentine was a lady, and she could not endure servility or veneer manners in the close relations that must exist between mistress and maid. In calling Valentine a lady Beatrice did not mean that she was a “high-toned” lady, or a fine lady, or a fashionable lady, or any of the other qualified ladies, but that she was just a lady--well mannered, with delicate instincts, intelligent, simple and sincere. Valentine acted as Beatrice liked to believe she herself would act if she had to work for her living and happened to find being lady’s maid the most convenient way to do it. At the Wolcott Beatrice registered beneath her own name that of Miss Valentine Clermont. When the two were in the little inside suite Beatrice took by way of making a beginning in the direction of the practice of economy, she said: “For the present, at least, you are to be my companion. I can’t live here alone or just with a maid. So, the parlor is to be changed into a bedroom for you.” “Very well, mademoiselle,” promptly acquiesced the intelligent Valentine, showing how rightly Beatrice had judged her. “Miss Richmond,” corrected Beatrice with a smile. “Pardon--certainly,” said Valentine. “We are rather cramped here,” Beatrice went on. “But I guess I’ll be looking back on this as spacious luxury before long.” Miss Clermont smiled. “Why do you smile, Miss Clermont?” “You do not know your father, Miss Richmond.” “I assure you we have parted finally,” said Beatrice. “If you have any idea that in following my fortunes you are going with a person in the position I had until two hours ago, put it out of your mind. I can pay your wages--beg pardon, salary it is now--through next month--perhaps for another month after that. Then I shall be-- Well, mine is a precious small income--and will be smaller. However, I’ll see that you get a place soon.” Miss Clermont smiled. “Why do you smile, Miss Clermont? Because you don’t believe me?” “Not at all, Miss Richmond,” protested Valentine. “If you’re right about your situation--then I shall stay with you until you are settled--and, possibly, I can help you. If you are wrong--then I shall stay on as your maid until you marry. After that--Monsieur Léry and I are engaged. When we marry we shall go into business together.” Beatrice paused in arranging her hair, turned and, half sitting on the low bureau, looked at her companion with the expression of one who has just given birth to a new and fascinating idea. “Why shouldn’t _we_ go into business--you and I?” she said. “I’ll have to do something,” she went on. “I simply can’t content myself to live on--on what I’ll have after a few days from now. I love luxury--nice surroundings--good things to eat--beautiful clothes. Why not dressmaking?” “We should get rich at it,” declared Miss Clermont.