ghter remaining. It was then that, saddened and chastened by
sorrow, I regretted my narrowness and injustice and prayed to God for
the chance to wipe out my cruelty. But my prayers went unanswered, and
all these years forgiveness has been denied me. Now I am old but God
is merciful. He has not let me die with this weight upon my soul."

She bowed her head on Delight's shoulder and wept.

"Your mother?" she whispered, when she was able to enunciate the words.

"My mother died in California when I was born. Then my father took to
the sea and carried me with him. We sailed until I was ten years old,
when his ship--"

"I know," interrupted Madam Lee gently. She gave a long sigh. "We--we
must speak more of this later," murmured she. "I am tired now."

As she dropped back against the cushions, Celestina rose softly and
motioned the others to follow her; but when Delight attempted to slip
away the hand resting on hers tightened.

"You are not leaving me!" pleaded the old lady faintly.

"I will come back again," answered the girl in a soothing tone.

"When? To-morrow?"

"If you wish it, Madam L--"

"Call me grandmother, my child," said the woman, a smile rare in its
peace and beauty breaking over her drawn countenance.

CHAPTER XVI

ANOTHER BLOW DESCENDS

The ride home from Belleport was a subdued one, bringing to an
afternoon that had been rich in sunshine a climax of shadow. The
Galbraiths were far too stunned by the startling revelations of the day
to wish to prolong a meeting that had lapsed into awkwardness, and
until they had had opportunity to readjust themselves they were eager
to be alone; nor did their delicacy of perception fail to detect a
similar craving in the minds of their guests. Therefore they did not
press their visitors to remain and tactfully arranged that one of the
servants instead of Roger should drive the Spences back over the Harbor
Road.

As the motor purred its way along, there was little conversation. Even
had not the chauffeur's presence acted as a restraint, none of the
party would have had the heart to make perfunctory conversation; the
tragedy of the moment had touched them too deeply. What a strange,
wonderful unraveling of life's tangled skeins had come with the few
fleeting hours. Each turned the drama over in his mind, trying to make
a reality of it and spin into the warp and woof of the tapestry time
had already woven this thread of new color. But so s