and he added, with a grin: "But he's a fearful looking
specimen, all right, though."

"About my brother," she went on, turning the letter thoughtfully in her
fingers; "when can he get out, do they think?"

"Any time next week."

"I'll write him," she said. "I'll write him and tell him that everything
will be arranged for--for--for them both."

Clover sprang to his feet.

"Oh, thank you," he exclaimed. "That's most awfully good in you!"

"Not at all," she answered. "I'm very glad to be able to welcome them. You
must impress that upon them--particularly--particularly on my brother."

Clover smiled.

"I will," he said, rising to go.

"I'd ask you to stay longer," she said, holding out her hand, "but I'm due
at a charity entertainment to-night, and I have to go very early."

"I know," he said; "I've come up on purpose to go to it."

"Then I shall see you there?" she asked him.

"It will be what I shall be looking forward to most of all," he said.

"It's been a great pleasure to meet you," she said, holding out her hand,
"you're--well, you're 'unlike,' as they say in literary criticisms."

"Thank you," he replied; "but may I ask if you intend that as a
compliment?"

"Dear me," she laughed, "let me think how I did intend it.--Yes, it was
meant for a compliment."

"Thank you," he said, shaking her hand warmly, "it's so nice to know, you
know. Good-by."

"Good-by."

Then he went away.

CHAPTER ELEVEN - THE DOVE OF PEACE

The first result of Mrs. Rosscott's invitation was that Jack refused. He
said that he had a sister of his own--two, if it came to that--and so he
could easily manage for himself. He was very decided about it, and
somewhat lofty and bitter--a stand which no one understood his taking.

His flat refusal was communicated to his would be hostess and it goes
without saying that she was as unable to understand as all the rest. It
keyed well enough with his lately shown indifference, but the indifference
keyed not at all with all that had gone before and still less with her
very correct comprehension of Jack himself. She was quite positive as to
the sincerity of those protestations which he had made so haltingly--so
boyishly--and in such absolutely truthful accents. Why he had turned over a
new--and bad--leaf so suddenly she did not at all know, but her woman's
wit--backed up by the many good instincts which good women always get from
Heaven knows just where--made her feel firmer th