The Spectator., 1915-12-03

slowly. meditating, You call him Hall. don't you! l hadn't known you were so intimate"
 "Oh, Lord, yes. I always call him Hall" Carolyn was beginning to be amused.
 Rosamund tossed her head and crossed her feet, watching the new conner sharply.
 Well" said Mrs. Royalton, primly ironical. "I'm delighted that you know him so well, my dear!"
 Well, now I come to think of 1t, Rena, don't know that do know him quite so we'll as I thought. after all" She exchanged smile with Rosamund, who laughed aloud, harsh ly, causing Mrs. Royalton to turn and stare at her.
 'Im afraid I fail to see the joke she said haughtily. But of course Hall Bonistelle isn't at all the sort of man one sees through at glance, you know. He's deep; very subtle per son, in fact. However" she smiled complacently. 'I fatter myself that l understand him little better than l did"
 Carolyn shot her suspicious glance Why" she demanded. Made any recent discoveries?'
 Mrs. Royalton deliberately nodded up and down, and smiled crypticaly.
 "Oh. I don't know-I fancy he has something on his mind-in fact. l know he has-there's a-well, a sort of crisis-yes, I suppose he would ap- pear little excited-but of course l really have no business discussing it."
 What in the world a you talking about. Rena?" Carolyn exclaimed.
 Why, I'm talking about Hall Bonis- telle, of course!"
 Well, you're not saying much
 Never mind, Carolyn. dear, it isn't because I haven't anything to say. You don't expect me to go about re- beating things he has said to me in confidence. do you?"
 oh" said Carolyn, narrowing her eyes. then Hall has been confiding in you. too, has he?"
 By this time Rosamund was hard on the scent, having almost caught up to Carolyn's suspicious. She said noth- ing, but her eyes were hot and shin ing, as she scrutinized Mrs. Royaltons ! face.
 See here" said Carolyn, now thor oughly interested. q don't see why haven't a right to know. I'm pretty good friend of Hall's-you know that and think you ought to be able to trust me"
 Well, 1t isn't only trusting you" Mrs. Royalton looked significantly at Rosamund, sulkily listening.
 Well. I declare!" said Carolyn ! calmly, "Rena Royalton, either you're | making an awful fool of yourself. or else Hall Bonistelle has actually"
 She got no further. Flodie. head up, with a busy air. hustled into the room carrying a handful of prints. She stopped suddenly. with fine imitation of surprise, and gazed at Mrs, Royal ton.
 "Oh, Mrs. Royalton!" she exclaimed "Why didn't you let me know you were here? I've got your proofs all ready for you. think they are splen- did!"
 She handed them over. and ap- preached Carolyn with two other proofs. Here are yours, Miss Dallys. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting so long" She returned to Mrs. Royalton.
 "Oh. how I dread to look at them!" that lady was saying. She was nev- ertheless, perusing them hungrily.
 Carolyn meanwhile had stridden across the room to Rosamund. and the two girls conspired as Mrs. Royalton lost herself in her portraits.
 "Oh, don't like that one Really? Why, l look hundred years old! . There That's more best, Miss Fisher? . No, do you? 1 Why. I think it's awful. My eyes are so hard to take right: you don't get the soul in them. somehow Oh. I think I ought to try another sitting. don't you? Say. where is Mir Boni- | stelle, anyway"
 There came a ring at the telephone. Flodie jumped to snatch up the re- ceiver.
 "Helloi. Yes |. Why, what's the matter? Oh, naturally . Wait just a minute, please!"
 Flodie stopped and held her hand over the transmitter. "Oh, Miss Dallys. would you and Miss Gale mind not talking quite so loud for minute? | can't hear very we'll"
 There was long pause. and the three women, all studying Flodie's face, saw dozen different expressions pass over 1t in quick succession Then she spoke again: Really? Oh. you know, Mir. Bonistelle-well. personally, loathe them . Oh, don't know. but a big diamond is so funny. some how What?" Then: 'Oh. yes we'll. know Oh. but it's awful to pawn that! Why. it was your ia | thar's wasn't if7 Well of t,Ourea