〃Me？　I　will　tell　you　what　is　the　matter。　I　have　finished　with　you；　Mirelle。　Do　you　hear？　Finished！〃

Mirelle　did　not　take　it　as　he　expected　her　to　do。　She　looked　at　him　for　a　minute　or　two；　and　then　she　smiled　softly。

〃But　what　a　child！　You　are　angry　…　you　are　sore；　and　all　because　I　am　practical。　Did　I　not　always　tell　you　that　I　adored　you？〃

She　leaned　forward。

〃But　I　know　you；　Dereek。　Look　at　me？　…　see；　it　is　Mirelle　who　speaks　to　you。　You　cannot　live　without　her；　you　know　it。　I　loved　you　before；　I　will　love　you　a　hundred　times　more　now。　I　will　make　life　wonderful　for　you　…　but　wonderful。　There　is　no　one　like　Mirelle。〃　Her　eyes　burned　into　his。　She　saw　him　grow　pale　and　draw　in　his　breath；　and　she　smiled　to　herself　contentedly。　She　knew　her　own　magic　and　power　over　men。

〃That　is　settled；〃　she　said　softly；　and　gave　a　little　laugh。