Had I known Le Mire long? What was she like? Was it true that
Prince Dolansky had shot himself in despair at losing her? Was
she beautiful? How well did I know her? Would I take him to see
her?

And within half an hour the last question was repeated so many
times and with such insistence that I finally consented and left
Harry delighted beyond words.

My own experience with Desiree Le Mire had been anything but
exciting. The woman was interesting; there could be no doubt of
that; but she possessed little attraction for me. Her charms, on
close inspection, were really quite too evident.

I require subtlety in a woman, and so far as I could discover Le
Mire knew not the meaning of the word. We had spent many hours
during the trip across in pleasant companionship; she had done me
the honor to tell me that she found my conversation amusing; and,
after all, she was undeniably a pretty woman. She had invited me
with evident sincerity to call on her in New York; but I had not
as yet taken advantage of the invitation.

I did not then think, and I do not now believe, that I acted
foolishly when I took Harry to see her. In any event, he would
have seen her sooner or later, and since all temptations meet us
at one time or another, it is best to have it out with them at as
early a date as possible. At the time, indeed, I gave the subject
no thought whatever; but if I had I should not have hesitated.

We took tea with her the following afternoon in her apartment,