ing fond of each other in the old way. You may have to
forgive me many things and perhaps I may have other friends in the
future of whom you may not approve, but you must not think they will
make me forget my loyalty to you."

Bianca was about to reply, but before this was possible Sonya Clark had
opened the door and re-entered the room.

She glanced at Carlo Navara with a slight frown and then walked over and
laid her hand on Bianca's fair hair.

"Bee is looking better than you expected to find her, isn't she, Carlo,
and more like a little girl? I for one am glad her illness has turned
her young again. The war in France has made most of us older than we
were intended to be, but all the pain and struggle of it was especially
hard upon a girl young as Bianca. I am going to take her back to New
York as soon as Dr. Clark is able to return and after a year at school I
mean to bring her out into New York society as my grown-up daughter. I
have always wanted a real one and Bianca will be a lovely substitute.
Don't you think she will probably have many admirers, Carlo?"

Carlo looked a little annoyed.

"I thought you had finer ideals for Bianca, Sonya, than to turn her into
a society woman!" he answered with a slight change of manner. "But of
course she will be charming. She is that already. And no doubt so many
people will admire her that she will learn the pleasant art of
forgetting her old friends. I shall probably be in New York only a part
of each year. Yet somehow, Bianca, I hope you will always remain the
Bianca I have known for the past three years. The war has made the time
seem ever so much longer."

Again Bianca was about to reply, but Sonya glanced up at a little clock
on the mantel.

"I am sorry, Carlo, but Bianca is not allowed to see any one but a half
hour at a time. I know she regrets having to say farewell to you, but we
are under orders. As for my ideals for Bianca, you need not fear. I mean
to do all I can to help make her a gracious and lovely woman. And no one
is ever to take Bianca for granted, Carlo, not even you. I think it may
be good for her to know that there will be many persons who will think
her attractive, as she has too humble an opinion of herself. Besides,
every girl has a right to a few years of society and a little
admiration. I am sure you agree with me?"

And Carlo was obliged to acquiesce.

Going back to his quarters, after saying goodby to Bianca, he realized
what Sonya's wor