se my grandfather was your father's superior officer at the time."

Madge gave one sharp cry that brought the company to their feet in
alarm. "Your grandfather's name--tell me--I must know."

"Richard Foster Harris," replied Flora, gazing at Madge with a deep
frown. What was the matter? Her vengeful announcement was having an
entirely different effect upon the girl she disliked than that which
she had anticipated. "My grandfather is an admiral now. He was in line
for promotion when your father was dismissed in disgrace." Flora
lingered over the word "disgrace."

"Your grandfather, Richard Foster Harris," repeated Madge brokenly.
"Then he is--he is--oh, I am not so cruel as you. I can not speak
against----"

"What do you mean?" almost screamed Flora. "How dare you even insinuate
anything against my grandfather? He is an admiral, do you understand,
an _admiral_!"

Madge glanced about her, meeting the anxious, sympathetic faces of her
friends. They were for the moment completely taken aback by this sudden
turn in affairs. Alfred Thornton's eyes was the only pair which refused
to meet hers. He averted his head.

"I thought," she said, addressing Miss Harris with a gentle dignity
that went straight to the hearts of her hearers, "that I could
retaliate, that I could say to you words that would cut into your soul
as deeply as your words have cut into mine, but there are strong
reasons why I can't say them."

"And I insist that you explain your insinuation," flung back Flora. "Do
so at once, or I will send for Mrs. Curtis and force you to do as I
say."

"Send for Mrs. Curtis if you wish." Madge's face was a white mask
lighted by the defiant gleam of eyes that seemed almost to flame. "Do
not imagine, however, that I shall either explain or retract what I
have just said."

Letting her gaze wander from one to the other of her friends, she said
with finality: "I can not even discuss the charge Miss Harris has made
against my father. It is true that he was once in the Navy, and that I
once believed him to be dead. More than that I can not tell you. It is,
and must forever be, my secret."

Turning to Madeleine she said quietly, "Will you forgive me for having
been the cause of this scene and allow me to go?"

For answer Madeleine drew Madge within the circle of her arm and kissed
her tenderly.

"Good night." As one in a dream the little captain bowed to the company
and walked to the door. Tom Curtis followed her, cast