CHAPTER II.
A laugh, clear and cold as a sleigh-bell on a frosty night rang out on the silence.
"Why did you run away from me ?" He replied at once, and brusquely.
"Because I was tired of you!" She laughed again.

A strange white elf as she looked In the spreading moonbeams she was woman to the core, and the disdainful movement of her small uplifted head plainly expressed her utter indifference to his answer.
"I followed you"-- she said--"I knew I should find you! What are you doing up here?
Shamming to be ill ?" "Precisely! 'Sham' is as much in my line as yours.

I have to 'pretend' in order to be real!" "Paradoxical as usual!" and she shrugged her shoulders--"Anyway you've chosen a good place to do your shamming in.

It's quite lovely up here,--much better than the Plaza.

I am at the Plaza." "Automobile and all I suppose!" he said, sarcastically--"How many servants ?--how many boxes with how many dresses ?" She laughed again.
"That's no concern of yours!" she replied--"I am my own mistress." "More's the pity!" he retorted.
They faced each other.