urs
upon her character."

Mrs. McSeeney's eyes flashed as she said coolly: "I am glad Mrs.
Sanderson enjoys so absolutely the confidence of her husband." Then,
shrugging her shoulders slightly, she turned and walked toward the door.
It was growing so late that the distant room in which this scene
occurred was quite empty, and fortunately no one but Harold Wainwright
had overheard the conversation. An anxious witness of the scene, he had
appeared at first dumfounded by Florence's self-accusation; but he now
calmly followed Mrs. McSeeney toward the door. He quickly caught up with
her, and speaking so quietly that she turned about somewhat frightened,
he said: "May I speak with you a moment? I have something of importance
to say."

"Certainly," she replied, and they passed on into the next room.

Florence was left alone with Roswell Sanderson. The first excitement of
the resolution to save Marion had passed, and she now realized the
position in which she had so suddenly placed herself, and her foremost
desire now was to get away somewhere. Above all she dared not speak to
Roswell. She was still holding his hand which she had grasped so
earnestly in the midst of her excitement, and now she tried to release
it. This action Roswell resisted, and, turning until he could see into
her face, he said earnestly: "You are a brave girl, Florence, and I
thank you for it from the bottom of my heart."

Florence lowered her eyes. "Don't talk about it," she said anxiously,
"and please promise not to say one word to Marion of all this. I am
going away, and, if you can keep her from knowing about it, it will make
me so happy."

Roswell was silent a moment. A curious expression of sad determination,
which Florence did not understand, came into his eyes.

"I promise," he finally said, "but you must answer me one question now
that we are alone. Did you speak the truth?"

Florence trembled slightly. She had been expecting this question and
felt that everything depended on her answer. She pressed his hand
firmly, and, looking up into his face, said in tones which bore the
resolute accent of truth: "Roswell, I assure you that Marion has been
true to you."

"I will ask no more," he replied, and she saw that determined expression
come back again to his eyes. They heard the sound of approaching steps,
and he quickly released her hand. Turning round they saw Marion
approaching. "What under heaven are you doing here?" Marion said, as she
en