had one
red-letter day, when a sailor cousin of hers, fresh from the North Sea,
came to luncheon and told us wonders of the Navy which we had barely
imagined and did not dare to hope for. His tidings gave subject for
many a talk.

I knew that she was seeing Boyce constantly. The former acquaintance of
the elders of the two houses flamed into sudden friendship. From a
remark artlessly let fall by Mrs. Boyce, I gathered that the old ladies
were deliberately contriving such meetings. Boyce and Betty referred to
each other rarely and casually, but enough to show me that the old feud
was at an end. And of what save one thing could the end of a feud
between lovers be the beginning? What did she know? Knowing all, how
could she be drawn back under the man's fascination? The question
maddened me. I suffered terribly.

At last, one evening, I could bear it no longer. She was playing
Chopin. The music grated on me. I called out to her:

"Betty!"

She broke off and turned round, with a smile of surprise. Again she was
wearing the old black evening dress, in which I have told you she
looked so beautiful.

"No more music, dear. Come and talk to me."

She crossed the room with her free step and sat near my chair.

"What shall I talk about?" she laughed.

"Leonard Boyce."

The laughter left her face and she gave me a swift glance.

"Majy dear, I'd rather not," she said with a little air of finality.

"I know that," said I. "I also know that in your eyes I am committing
an unwarrantable impertinence."

"Not at all," she replied politely. "You have the right to talk to me
for my good. It's impertinence in me not to wish to hear it."

"Betty dear," said I, "will you tell me what was the cause of your
estrangement?"

She stiffened. "No one has the right to ask me that."

"A man who loves you very, very dearly," said I, "will claim it. Was
the cause Althea Fenimore?"

She looked at me almost in frightened amazement.

"Is that mere guesswork?"

"No, dear," said I quietly.

"I thought no one knew--except one person. I was not even sure that
Leonard Boyce was aware that I knew."

Another bow at a venture. "That one person is Gedge."

"You're right. I suppose he has been talking," she said, greatly
agitated. "He has been putting it about all over the place. I've been
dreading it." Then she sprang to her feet and drew herself up and
snapped her fingers in an heroical way. "And if he has said that Althea
Fenimore dro