; Mrs. Ralston was then in the mood
for talking. Can't you understand how one may be nervously active, may
be at just that stage of bodily weariness when the mind is intensely
alive? The excitement of all she had lately undergone was still upon
her, and the mind could not resign itself to rest while anything
remained unsettled or under a cloud."

"Oh, I can understand how that may be." Then, after a pause, "so
something remained to be settled?"

"Yes."

"And, between you, you disposed of the difficulty?"

"Yes."

Another silence. Then Madeline turns to look at her companion.

"Why don't you ask me what the 'difficulty' was?"

No answer.

"But you want to know?"

Claire laughs nervously.

"And I want to tell you," pursues Madeline. "First, we talked of
ourselves."

"Oh!" ejaculates Claire, looking immensely relieved.

"Yes, we talked of ourselves first; and we have become great friends."

"Of course!" cries Miss Enthusiasm; "I knew you would."

"We have decided to give our new friendship a severe test."

"How?" asks Claire, forgetting her caution.

"By visiting Europe in each other's society."

Claire springs up excitedly. "Madeline Payne, you don't mean it! You
_can't_! You _shall_ not; there! Europe, indeed. You are crazy! I
won't hear of it!" stamping her foot emphatically.

Madeline leans back in her chair and laughs; then suddenly becomes
grave.

"But I do mean it, Claire, my darling," she says, softly. "And I'll
tell you what else I mean. Sit down here, close beside me and listen."

Instinctively Claire obeys.

"Now, then," continues Madeline, "you know what an odd, uncultivated
sort of a life mine has been, and you know that this little world of
mine has not been a very bright one. Well, ever since I could read and
think, I have longed to see Italy, and France, and England, and
Germany, and the Holy Land. My work is done here. There is nothing now
to prevent my going--no duty to perform, no one to keep me here. I
could not find a better friend and companion than Mrs. Ralston, and
she is very anxious to go, and to take me with her. You are all very
dear to me, but no one needs me now more than she, nor so much. And,
Claire, don't make any mistakes about me. I am not going away
sorrowfully, or with any heavy weight upon my spirits. I am going to
enjoy and make the most and best of the life and youth God has given
me. I am going for change, and recreation, and rest. I have been
acting the