“For Heaven’s sake talk of something else,” cried Olof.  He swallowed a glass of sherry to cover his disgust.

“Eh?  Oh, all right, anything you please.  Sing you a song if you like.  What d’you say to that.”

“Yes, but nothing....”

“Not a word.  Dainty little song.  Here you are: 

  “’Here’s a corner for you and me,
      Room for two—­but not for three! 
  A glass for each within easy reach... 
      Just the place for a spree!’”

“How’s that?  Quite nice, isn’t it?”

“Go on.”  Olof settled down more comfortably there was something pleasantly fascinating in the dance-like rhythm of the song.

  “Cushions are soft, and curtains hide,—­
      What would somebody say if they spied? 
  Kisses and laughter—­and what comes after...? 
      Ah....  You never know till you’ve tried!”

Olof could not help laughing.

They sat laughing and talking and telling stories—­the girl was never silent for a moment.  The glasses were filled and emptied, the smoke grew thicker.

“Oh ... it’s too hot.  I’m stifling with all these things on!” The girl rose to her feet, her eyes glittered, her cheeks were flushed with wine.  “I’ll be back in a second.”  And she slipped through into the adjoining room.

“Do, if you like.”  Olof sank back idly on the sofa, watching the smoke from his cigarette thoughtfully.  Still he was not quite at home in the place.

The girl came in like a vision, tripping daintily in light slippers, her arms bare to the shoulder, her body scarcely veiled by the thinnest, transparent wrap.

“Oh!” Olof could not repress an exclamation.

“Aha...!” The girl laughed mischievously.  Watching his face with a coquettish smile, she lifted one foot gracefully on to the sofa, and leaned towards him, her eyes boldly questioning.

Olof felt his senses in a whirl.  He saw in her a mingling of human being, beast and angel, of slave and mistress—­a creature fascinating and enticing, bewitching, ensnaring.  But only for a moment.  His mood changed to one of fury at his own susceptibility; the burning thirst in the girl’s eyes, the fumes of wine in her breath, repelled him.

“Sit down and drink—­and let that be enough!” He snatched a bottle hastily and filled the glasses to the brim.

“Ho!” said the girl, with a stare.  “Drink—­is that all you’ve come for?”

“Yes!”

She stepped down from the sofa, her features quivering with scorn.

“Well, you’re a nice one, you are.  If they were all like that—­drink and pay the bill and off again—­and not so much as a ... well, you’re the first I’ve met of that sort—­hope you’ll enjoy it!”

She drank, and set down the glass, a sneer still quivering about the corners of her mouth.

Then, leaning her elbows on the table, she gazed at him thoughtfully under her lowered lashes.  Olof smoked furiously, till his cigarette looked like a streak of fire.