give Carmelita the news had been curiosity to see how she would take it. She had, of course, known of the estrangement between Don Caesar de Cordoba and his daughter. "However, I've instructed Jackie to sound him out and possibly something can be done. Frankly, Carmelita, you must be rather up against it for funds, if you'll pardon the impertinence of an old friend. But so are we. I fear sometimes old Jackie will have to turn workingman. That would be a frightful blow. The old dear is so stupid. He would never get along. We should starve."
At eight o'clock, Carmelita was reflecting, she had promised to dine—alone—with Rao-Singh. The significance of the "alone" had dawned upon her when he had seized her in his arms and crushed her to him. He had bought the right to kiss her for five thousand dollars and now with an additional five thousand he—
Her promise had been made in desperation. Surely he would not expect her to keep it. His burning eyes, flushed face, crushing arms that longed to possess her—no, no, there must be a way out!
"What is worrying you, Carmelita? Is something terribly wrong?" asked Lucy, a little alarmed by the wanness of Carmelita's face and the manner in which she was twisting
