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"That will do forfor irl, who had not danced as the other had, but had only stood, s in the center of the room, now permitted her smile to widen a trifle, went to Roche, seated herself on the ar to him

As the door opened a third time, our host said, "The Chatelaine Thecla" It seemed really she, just as I had reuess In the end it was reason rather than observation that told me I was mistaken What differences I could have detected with the two standing side by side I cannot say, though certainly this woman was somewhat shorter

"It is she you wish, then," our host said I could not recall speaking Roche stepped forith a leather purse, announcing that he would pay for both of us I watched the coins as he drew theleam of a chrisos It was not there - there were only a few asimi

The "Chatelaine Thecla" touched er than the faint perfu"Come," she said

I followed her There was a corridor, dimly lit and not clean, then a narrow stair I asked howdown at ht have been vanity satisfied, love, or that more obscure emotion we feel hat had been a contest becoht, very few Because of the snow I caht I kneell enough that she had come only from one of the ht, and most likely on foot, with a shawl over her hair and the cold striking through old shoes Yet what she said I founddestriers leaping through the falling snow faster than any , beautiful, jaded woainst red velvet cushions

"Aren't you co?"

She had already reached the top of the stair, nearly out of sight So her "one up a few steps more I saas a woman very like the one who had been with Vodalus, she of the heart-shaped face and black hood This woave her room to do so hurried down the stair

"You see nohat you ht have had if you'd only waited for one more to come out" A smile I had learned to know elsewhere lurked at one corner of my paphian's mouth

"I would have chosen you still"

"Now that is truly a - come on, come with me, you don't want to stand in this drafty hall forever You kept a perfectly straight face, but your eyes rolled like a calf's She's pretty, isn't she" The woman who looked like Thecla opened a door, and ere in a tiny bedroo by a silver-gilt chain; a laht stood in one corner There was a tiny dressing table with a h for us to move

"Would you like to undress me?"

I nodded and reached for her

"Then I warn you, you must be careful of my clothes" She turned away froin at the top, at the back of , he'll make you pay for it - don't say you haven't been told"

My fingers found a tiny catch and loosed it "I would think, Chatelaine Thecla, that you would have plenty of clothes"

"I do But do you think I want to return to the House Absolute in a torn gown?"

"You must have others here"

"A few, but I can't keep one"

The stuff between ht and rich in the colonnaded blue room beloas thin and cheap "No satins, I suppose," I said as I unfastened the next catch "No sables and no diamonds"

"Of course not"

I took a step away frohtof Thecla about her All that had been a chance rese in a s at the neck and bare shoulders of so woman whose parents, perhaps, accepted their share of Roche's ratefully and pretended not to knohere their daughter went at night

"You are not the Chatelaine Thecla," I said "What a here with you?" There was surely more in my voice than I had intended She turned to faceaway froh directed by a mirror; she must have been in this situation before, and it must have turned out badly for her

"I am Thecla," she said "If you want me to be" I raised my hand and she added quickly, "There are people here to protect me All I have to do is scream You may hit me once, but you won't hit me twice"

"No," I told her

"Yes there are Three men"

"There is no one This whole floor is empty and cold - don't you think I've noticed how quiet it is? Roche and his girl stayed below, and perhaps got a better room there because he paid The wo and wanted to speak to you first Look" I took her by the waist and lifted her into the air "Scream No one will come" She was silent I dropped her on the bed, and after a ry because I'm not Thecla But I would have been Thecla for you I will be still" She slipped the strange coat from "

"No I'm not" I knew that soer than I

"Very strong Aren't you strong enough to master reality, even for a little while?"

"What do you mean?"