She was very handsome, with a certain fine, rich coloring that belongs to the healthy brunet type. She was quite composed, as she idly stroked the satiny coat of the cat that lay curled in her lap, and she occasionally sent a slow glance into the shadow where her companion sat. They were talking low, of indifferent things which plainly were not the things that occupied their thoughts. She knew that he loved her--a frank, blustering fellow without guile enough to conceal his feelings, and no desire to do so. For two weeks past he had sought her society eagerly and persistently. She was confidently waiting for him to declare himself and she meant to ac- cept him. The rather insignificant and unattractive Brantain was enormously rich; and she liked and required the entourage which wealth could give her.