"Claudie!" exclaimed Charmian.
"It does! There's something here that pumps nervous energy into one until one's body and mind seem to be swirling in a mill race. When I think of my life in Mullion House and my life here!"
Charmian, with a quick movement, sat upright on the sofa.
"Then you do realize—" she began, almost excitedly. She paused, gazing at Claude.
The two men looked at her.
"What is it?" Claude said at length, as she remained silent.
"You do realize that I did see something for you that you hadn't seen for yourself, when you shut yourself and your talent in, when you wouldn't look at, wouldn't touch the world?"
"Of course. I hadn't courage then. I dreaded contact with life. Now I defy life to get the better of me. I know it, and I'm beginning to know how to deal with it. I say, let us plan out our campaign if Madame Sennier persists in her accusations."
"But first tell us exactly what you gave out to the pressmen to-night," said Alston.