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 see myself kicking the thing out of the way whenever I should come into the room."

"Why worry about the inevitable," murmured Victoria, as she lit another cigarette and flung the finished one dexterously on the hearth. "I never cared sentimentally, that is, but once. He was a nice fellow, and rather clever; but he didn't think I liked him and was too proud to inquire, and I—well, I was too proud to inform him—so—well—that's all—"

"Who was it?" demanded Mrs. Durham, bristling with curiosity. "And you, Victoria! I should have expected you to come right out and speak your mind."

"So should I," said Victoria; "but somehow I wouldn't work that way—there, must have been something wrong with the machinery."

"I think he was an idiot!" exclaimed Sonia. "I think so too," said Victoria.

"Here is one of the incongruities of life," Morton observed, regretfully. "Three stunning women gathered together, and not a romance among them." 309