Page:Elizabeth Jordan--Tales of the city room.djvu/25

 when I am making these unsolicited visits," said the reporter. "I wish I could tell you how I appreciate your kindness in receiving me at all." She was leaning back a little in her chair, and her strong, young face and fair hair were in relief against the rich background of the drapery on the wall. In one quick glance her gray eyes had taken in every detail of the prisoner's surroundings. She looked at the prisoner again, with something very frank and womanly in the look.

"I was not moved by a purely philanthropic spirit," responded Mrs. Brandow.

She contemplated her visitor with something akin to interest, but there was a suggestion of irony in her contralto voice. "Mr. Van Dyke assures me that you will not misrepresent me if I have anything to say," she continued; "but I have nothing to say. I asked you in to tell you so, and to thank you for the roses, and for your note, both of which pleased me. The letter of introduction you bring convinces me that I am safe in doing this, and that you will not go away and picture me as tearing my hair and deluging my pillow with tears. You