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and then the Countess held up a twisted bit of paper。
A burst of applause filled the room。 The scrap of paper bore the initials of the Countess！ 〃The Woman in Black〃 was her property。
But the most extraordinary part by far of the evening's performance was still to come。
When the hour of midnight had arrivedthe hour of dispersal； a rule rarely brokenthe Countess called to Bianchi and directed him to go out into the hall and bring in her long black stockings and stout shoes； which she had taken off outside Fred's door； and which she had left hanging on a nail。
I can see her nowfor I； too； was leaning over the same table； Oliver beside me； watching this most extraordinary woman of another world； a woman who had been the idol of almost every capital in Europe； and whom I knew （although Oliver did not） had been quietly conducted out of some of them between dark and daylightI can see her now； I say； sitting on the piano…stool； facing the group； the long； black silk stockings that Bianchi had brought her in her hands。 I remember just the way in which； after loosening her dainty； red…heeled slippers； she swept aside her skirts； unfastened her garters； and； with the same unconsciousness and ease with which she would have slipped a pair of rubbers over a pair of shoes； drew the long black stockings over her flesh…colored ones； refastening the garters again； talking all the time； first to one and then the other； pausing only to accentuate some sentence with a wave of her shoe or stocking or cigarette； as the action suited the words。
That the group about her was composed solely of men made not the slightest difference。 She was only trying to save those precious； flesh…colored silk stockings that concealed her white skin from the slush and snow of the streets。 As to turning her back to her hosts during this little change of toiletthat was the last thing that entered her head。 She would as soon have stepped into a closet to put on her gloves。
And then again； why should she be ashamed of her ankles and her well…turned instep and dainty toes； as compact in their silk covering as peas in a pod！ She might have been； perhaps； in some one of the satin… lined drawing…rooms around Madison Square or Irving Place； but not here； breathing the blue smoke of a dozen pipes and among her own kindthe kind she had known and loved and charmed all her life。
After all it was but a question of economy。 Broadway was a slough of mud and slush； and neither she nor Bianchi had the price of a carriage to spare。
Oliver watched her until the whole comedy was complete； then； picking up his wet sketch and handing it with the greatest care to Bianchi； who was to conduct her ladyship to her lodgings； he placed the long black cloak with the fur…trimming and watermelon… colored silk lining about her beautiful； bare shoulders； and； with the whole club following and waving their hands good…night； our young gentleman bowed her out and downstairs with all the deference and respect he would have shown the highest lady in the land。
CHAPTER XXII
〃MARGARET GRANTTOP FLOOR〃
One spring morning； some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliverthe incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was outOliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor； drinking his coffee the coffee he had boiled himself。 The janitor had just slipped two letters through a slit in the door。 Both lay on the floor within reach of his hand。 One was from his mother； bearing the postmark of his native city； the other was from a prominent picture… dealer on Broadway； with a gallery and big window looking out on the street。
Oliver broke the seal of his mother's letter； and moved his chair so that the light from the overhead skylight would fall on its pages。
It read as follows：
〃My Darling Boy： Your father goes to you to… morrow。 Mr。 Cobb was here last night with a letter from some gentleman of means with whom he has been corresponding。 They want to see the motor； so your father and Nathan leave on the early train。
〃This man's continued kindness is a constant surprise to me。 I have always thought it was he who prevented the mortgage from being foreclosed； but I never knew until yesterday that he had written his name under my own the second time the note was to be renewed； and that he has kept it there ever since。 I cannot speak of this to him； nor must you； if you see him； for poor old Mr。 Steiger told me in confidence。 I am the more glad now that we have always paid the interest on the note。 The next payment； which you have just sent me； due on the first of the month； is now in my bureau…drawer ready for the bank； but I will not have to use it now。
〃Whether the mortgage can ever be paid off I do not know； for the farm is ruined； I fear。 Mr。 Mowbray's cousin； who drove over last week to see what was left of the plantations in that section； writes me that there is nothing remaining of your grandfather's place but the bare ground and the house。 All the fences have been burned and many of the beautiful trees cut down for firewood。 The Government still occupies the house and one of the outbuildings； although most of the hospital stores have been moved away。 The last half…year's rent which was held back； owing to some new ruling from Washington； came； I am thankful to say； two days ago in a check from the paymaster here； owing to Mr。 Cobb's intercession。 He never loses an opportunity to praise you for what you did for that poor young soldier； and Mr。 Steiger told me that when those in authority heard from Mr。 Cobb which Mrs。 Horn it was； they ordered the rent paid at once。 He is always doing just such kindnesses for us。 But for this rental I don't know how we would have been able to live and take care of those dependent upon us。 We little knew； my son； when we both strove so hard to save the farm that it would really be our only support。 This rent； however； will soon cease and I tremble for the future。 I can only pray my Heavenly Father that something will come out of this visit to New York。 it is our only hope now。
〃Don't lose sight of your father for a moment； my son。 He is not well and gets easily fatigued； and although he is greatly elated over his promised success； as we all areand he certainly deserves to beI think you will see a great change in him these last few months。 I would not have consented to his going had not Nathan gone with him。 Nathan insists upon paying the expenses of the trip； he says it is only fair that he should； as your father has given him an interest in the motor。 I earnestly hope for some results； for I shall have no peace until the whole amount of the mortgage is paid back to the bank and you and Mr。 Cobb are released from the burden； so heavy on you； my boy。
〃There is no other news to tell you。 Sue Clayton brought her boy in to…day。 He is a sweet little fellow and has Sue's eyes。 She has named him John Clayton； after her father。 They have made another attempt to find the Colonel's body on the battle…field； but without success。 I am afraid it will never be recovered。
〃Lavinia sends her love。 She has been much better lately。 Her army hospital work has weighed