don't think it would do any good for you to talk to my father,
Mrs. Clark. As a matter of fact, it would make things more difficult for
me to have him discover I have discussed my private affairs with a
comparative stranger. I shall probably say goodby to you tomorrow and go
back home, but I want you to realize, Mrs. Clark, how much I have
appreciated everybody's kindness to me here and how much I like and
admire American girls. Indeed, I would not have added to your work if I
had not been so anxious for their acquaintance. You will soon be going
away from Luxemburg to join the American Army of Occupation on the
Rhine. May I wish you all good fortune?"

The little countess held out her hand and Sonya took it in her own for a
moment and then leaned over and kissed her.

"May I write you after we go away and tell you where we are to be
stationed? Surely there could be no objection to this. And, my dear,
some day I may be able to prove myself your friend, even if I am forced
to seem unfriendly now. Goodnight."

And Sonya went away, curiously depressed.

In a few days the temporary Red Cross hospital in Luxemburg would close
and she would probably never see the little Countess Charlotta again.
The soldiers who had been ill were now sufficiently recovered either to
rejoin their regiments, by this time approaching the German frontier, or
else to return to convalescent hospitals in France.

The reigning family of the little duchy of Luxemburg had been courteous
but none too friendly, and personally Sonya was anxious to rejoin her
husband and the remainder of their Red Cross unit and to find themselves
established with the American Army of Occupation.

Gossip in Luxemburg at the present time insisted that the Grand Duchess
Marie Adelaide would probably be deposed and her sister invited to reign
in her place. Sonya was hoping to be away from the duchy before this
occurred, and as this did not actually take place until early in January
and it was now December, the American Red Cross unit had not to meet
this political change.

Left to herself the little Countess Charlotta did not go immediately to
bed, although Bianca Zoli had helped her to undress some time before and
she now wore only her rose-colored velvet dressing gown over her night
gown.

Until it was midnight and the big house had grown quiet she sat alone.
Her future was at present no clearer before her than upon the day when
in a spirit of utter recklessness an