"I think it is very sweet of you," said Valerie, "I am very happy to know that you remember me."
The countess flushed up: "Do you really feel that way about it?"
"Yes," said Valerie, smiling, "or I would not say so."
"Then—you give me courage to tell you that since I first met you I've been—quite mad about you."
"About me!" in smiling surprise.
"Yes. I wanted to know you. I told Mrs. Hind-Willet to ask you to the club. She did. But you never came…. And I did like you so much."
Valerie said in a sweet, surprised way: "Do you know what I am?"
"Yes; you sit for artists."
"I am a professional model," said Valerie. "I don't believe you understood that, did you?"
"Yes, I did," said the countess. "You pose for the ensemble, too."