come. She asked me to thank you very kindly
for your invitation, but said it would not be possible for her to go so
far away from home just now. Perhaps later she may visit you."

"Bab, a good mother like yours is a most priceless treasure. Never
forget to value your treasure at its real worth," said Mr. Stuart
impressively.

"I do and I trust I always shall, sir," answered Barbara, and Robert
Stuart smiled, for he knew that she meant what she said.

Ruth and the other two girls came in at this juncture and the
conversation turned on their gowns and the pleasures that were before
them that evening. Barbara had not mentioned that she thought Mr. Stuart
was looking ill. She would not have ventured to do so, although she was
more convinced than before that something very, very serious had come
into the life of her friend's father. She wondered if she might not be
able to do something to relieve the distress under which he was so
plainly laboring.

"There, now, what did I tell you, Bab?" demanded Ruth, entering the
library. "Didn't I say you were always a tonic to father?"

Barbara blushed.

"She is indeed, daughter. So are you all. But we must be going. Is your
Aunt Sallie ready?"

"She is waiting for us in the reception room," answered Ruth.

"Then we will be off. Be sure that you girls are well wrapped up. You
are not used to going out in this climate with such thin gowns. Ruth,
where is your cloak?"

"Below, father. I will pick it up on my way down."

Then they started downstairs, Mr. Stuart leading the way. They were
joined by Miss Sallie in the hallway and a few minutes later were being
borne away by Mr. A. Bubble, who, for this evening at least, was on his
best behavior. Reaching the opera house, they were conducted to the box
reserved for them. Ruth insisted on her guests occupying the front
chairs. How the heads of the three little Kingsbridge girls did swim!
Beautiful gowns, beautiful women and dazzling jewels were to be seen
wherever the eye rested. It was a brilliant and animated scene, such as
none of the three girls ever before had gazed upon, for this was their
first visit to the opera.

"Isn't it all wonderful?" said Bab to Ruth.

"Yes, indeed," responded Ruth warmly. "There is nothing quite like an
opera night, and I have been particularly interested in grand opera
since we discovered Zerlina."

"Oh, to be sure," exclaimed Bab. "Where is Zerlina now?"

"She is in Paris, studying under the