She had been in Pittsburgh for several months
before I left--angling for some of the _nouveaux riches_, I fancy.
There was plenty of gossip of her in the Clubs; though I, alone, I
think, know her true history."
"And you did not warn anyone of her?"
"So long as she let my friends alone I cared not what pigeon she
plucked. And the very fact that she knew I was in Pittsburgh, was
enough to make her shy of anyone I would likely care for."
Dehra laughed lightly. "Maybe you were a little bit afraid of her,
yourself," she said.
"Maybe I was," I admitted; "for she has a fascination almost
irresistible--when she choose to exert it."
Dehra looked at me steadily.
I understood.
"Yes," said I, "she has made a try at me; once in New York; again, and
only recently, in Pittsburgh. I escaped both times, thank God."
"She may make another try at you here."
I laughed. "She failed twice in America; she can scarcely win in
Dornlitz when you are beside me."
"But I'm not always beside you," she objected.
"Not physically," I said.
"What chance would a mentality have against that woman's actual
presence?" she asked.
"It would depend entirely on the man, and I am immune--thanks to
Spencer's dead face and your sweet one.
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