After all, had he paid too great a price?
The millstone was gone from around his neck, something new and incomprehensible had crept into his life.
Yet for a background there was always this secret knowledge.
A clerk announcing Mademoiselle Idiale broke in upon his reflections.
Laverick rose from his seat to greet his visitor.

She was wonderfully dressed, as usual, yet with the utmost simplicity,--a white serge gown with a large black hat, but a gown that seemed to have been moulded on to her slim, faultless figure.

She brought with her a musical rustle, a slight suggestion of subtle perfumes--a perfume so thin and ethereal that it was unrecognizable except in its faint suggestion of hothouse flowers.

She held out her hand to Laverick, who placed for her at once an easy-chair.
"This is indeed an honor, Mademoiselle." She inclined her head graciously.
"You are very kind," said she.

"I know that here in the city you are very busy making money all the time, so I must not stay long.
Will you buy me some stocks,--some good safe stocks, which will bring me in at least four per cent ?" "I can promise to do that," Laverick answered.