The familiar voice bade her enter.
Miriam was sitting near the window, on her lap a closed book.
"May I-- ?" "Of course you may," was the quiet answer.
Cecily closed the door, came forward, and bent to kiss her friend.

Then she glanced at the "St.Cecilia;" then examined herself for a moment in one of the mirrors; then took off her hat, mantle, and gloves.
"I want to stay as long as your patience will suffer me." "Do so." "You avoid saying how long that is likely to be." "How can I tell ?" "Oh, you have experience of me.

You know how trying you find me in certain moods.

To-day I am in a very strange mood indeed; very malicious, very wicked.

And it is Sunday." Miriam did not seem to resent this.