The Powers and Maxine

ng about for days. I was going to have him all to

he really must want to be with me, not just because I'm the

think that men like girls for their beauty; yet I

itious enough; but he has a way that makes women fond of him; and men admire him, too. He looks straight into your eyes when he talks to you, as if he cared more for you th

was talking to Di: but I wouldn't let myself believe that it meant anything in particular. He has the reputation of having made lots of women fall in love with him. This was one of the first things I h

has given Di and me for our special den. It is separated by another larger ro

r, because-well, because I'm only the "pretty girl's sister." But to-night I didn't mind. My cheeks were red, and my eyes bright. Sitting down, you mi

teresting, and original. I looked as if I co

ately, unless he cared. Of course it might be for Di's sake; but I

me, because Di has everything and I nothing; and then, afterw

assed the far-away, open door of the ballroom, dancing

much for the

that morning-one he'd

I always think he has the nicest smile in the world: and certainly he has the nice

appy to get i

appy to send

you to do things

of c

, then?" I couldn't help adding-"Even

ason," he said, with his

ly meant it, and partly because I hoped it might lead him on to say what

onsulship isn't a very great thing-bu

te in the family, doesn't it? But it isn't as if I were really related to Lady Mountstuart. I was never sorry before that Di and I are only step-sisters-no, not a bit sorry, though her mother had all the money, and brought it to my poor father; but now

suddenly, and his face grew

"Imp" is the name he invented for me

One isn't kind when

had found out how I loved him, and because he had really too much of the dark-young-Crusader-knight in him, to break my heart! I made up my mind that

not say the words I hoped for. A moment or two he was silent; and then, gazing away towards the door of th

I want so much to go to Algiers-though very likely you've guessed already-you are such an 'intuitive' girl. And besides, I haven't tried very hard to hide my feelings-not as har

cut him short. "I can't bear-I mean

gainst hope. He was so much kinder to me than any other man ever took th

I had enough pride not to want him to see me cry-though, if it could have made any difference, I would h

her. And then I felt that I could hate him, as much as I've always hated Di, deep down in my heart. At that min

if she would marry me, because-my prospects weren't

'll put the important question?" I

se I-because you were so kind, I fe

uture-every hope, that is, in which my stepsister Diana Forrest had any part-I would have done it, just as I t

y strong or well, but now I felt broken, ready to die.

sked me to sit out with you are over.

Imp,

o

e Number 1

! Unlucky

chance with her. The next one, coming

s and political, but we have every sort of creature-provided it's an amusing, or successful, or good-looking one. By the way, used Maxine de R

re. It was in this house I met he

ully jealous of her husband when he had such

heard tha

me. I'm not saying anything a

But you mustn't call Miss de R

e call her that-in joke. And you dedicated your book about Lh

eally annoyed now, and I was pleased-if

was dedicated to 'M.R.' as i

my expedition to Lhassa, otherwise I couldn't have gone. And she isn't of the kind that likes to se

ch you dance-from far off. That's my part in life,

er since the tiny child and her mother (a beautiful, rich, young Californian widow) came into my father's house in New York, she does know how to manage me better than anyone else, when I am in such moods.

y would have gone on to the conservatory, which can be reached in that way, but I cried her name as loudly as I could, and she heard. Only a m

re the joy of life made incarnate, I should have liked to strike her hard, first on one cheek a

hat velvet voice she keeps for me-as if I we

running down. Oh, I wish I could die, and end it

one," she said. "Shall I take

d to go upstairs," I answered. "Yet

r who married the British Secretary for Foreign Affairs, a cousin of Lord Mountstuart's. That family seemed to have a craze for American girls; but Lord Mountstuart makes an exception of me. He's civil,

d. "He's playing bridge with a lot of dear old boys in the library, or

ross the room, out into a corridor, through a tiny "bookroom" where o

y has only Lord Mountstuart's favourite books in it. He writes there (he has written a novel or two, and thinks himself litera

re, I suppose, the distinguished author lies and thinks out his

old purple and gold brocade, and asked if

better in a few minutes. I

Di. "Soon, when you've lain and reste

ed. "A strong, well girl, and tall and beautiful, an

think of her?" a

s me his 'pal,' and tells me things he doesn't tell e

forget, if she's as attractiv

dy used to invite her to their houses, it seems. Ivor was telling me that he first met her here, and that it's

," said D

; but she didn't stand quite as high as she does now, since she's become the fashion in Paris. Perhaps she had nothing except her salary, then, whereas she must

s very pink. "As if Ivor were the k

e bad for him to marry a poor girl, or a girl who wasn't

ountstuarts, and her aunt who is married to the Foreign Secretary, she has got to know all the best people in England. Besides, the King and Queen have been par

believe. Anyway, he and Miss de Renzie had nothing more than a flirtation. Aunt Lilian told me so. She said Maxine was rather proud to have Ivor dangling about, because eve

little of the affair," I laughe

ian's over forty, an

She's a beauty and a great lady. Ivor always wants the

oyley faces up there? I never noticed them before. But oh-about Mr. Dundas and Maxine de Renzie-I don't think, really, that he troubles himself much about her any more, for the other day I-I hap

lkestone with the godmother who's going to leave him her money, how easy t

likes?" laughed Di, but not happily. "You're looking much better, Lisa

pillows are so comfortable. Then perhaps, by and by, I shall feel able to go back to the den, and watch th

have liked to shake me. "I'm afraid I shall have to run away

gone upstairs before that," I interrup

for me if you fe

s-y

rry. "Even if you don't send, I shall come back by and by, when I can, to see how you are," she said. Then she was gone, and I

im. Oh, I hope they'll quarrel. I don't think I'd mind anything, if only I was sure they'd never be nearer to each other. I wish Di would mar

nd they should be engaged? At that thought, I tried to bring on a heart attack, and die; for at least it would chill their happiness if, when Lady Mountstuart's ball was over, I should be found l