hand from his clasp, uttering, as she did so, a
flippant commonplace in response to his hearty greeting, but Claire
had caught the look in his eyes, and the false gayety in Madeline's
voice, and it caused her to wonder.

Heretofore she had lived in a dream of her own, and had been careless
of the varying expressions of those about her. Her dream had been
dispelled, and she seemed now to have a keener eye for the emotion of
others. Troubles of our own, sometimes, open our eyes to the fact that
our friends are not all supremely happy. Then we naturally fall to
speculating as to the cause. This was the case with Claire. She
speculated a little as to why the eyes of Dr. Vaughan rested upon her,
with that half-sad expression in them. Then she wondered why the
spirit of perversity had possessed Madeline, and induced her to extend
to Doctor Vaughan so shabby a welcome. Then, without realizing it, she
fell to observing the manner of these two more closely.

"Well, Miss Payne, what report do you bring from the enemy's country?"
he asked, after a few commonplaces between himself and the mistress of
the house.

"I have not been in the enemy's country, Doctor Vaughan; the enemies
are infesting mine."

"As you please, little warrior," smiled he. "Then may I ask, how goes
the battle?"

"Oh, yes! you may ask," crossing over and seating herself beside
Olive, "but your curiosity must wait. It's a ridiculous, tiresome
story, and wouldn't amuse you much, or interest you, either. I am
going to let Mrs. Girard inflict it upon you, when she thinks you need
a penance."

"I think _you_ need a penance now, Miss Payne, for accusing me of too
much curiosity, and too little interest."

"Oh, I didn't mean that, exactly," shrugging her shoulders carelessly.
"I suppose, of course, a physician is interested to a certain extent
in all his subjects, living or dead; but I can't let you dissect my
mind to-night. Besides," laughing maliciously, "I know you would
recommend leeches and blisters, and maybe a straight jacket, and I
can't be stopped in my charming career just yet."

Clarence Vaughan seemed not in the least offended by the girl's cool
insolence. He smiled indulgently, and when Olive ventured a gentle
remonstrance, he murmured to Claire, with a half laugh: "Miss Madeline
is incomprehensible to me; do you understand her, Miss Keith?"

[Illustration: "Dr. Vaughan was ushered into their presence."--page
209.]

And Claire, looking acro