er. Public indifference had aroused the scorn of the
irascible members of the orchestra, and there was imminent danger of a
collapse in the organization. Gardner lived in constant fear that his
troop of quarrelsome Hungarians would finish their tour suddenly in a
pitched battle with daggers and steins. Brewster smiled at the thought
of practical Gardner trying to smooth down the electric emotions of
these musicians.

A few days later Mrs. Prentiss Drew and Miss Drew registered at the
Ponce de Leon, and there was much speculation upon the chances for a
reconciliation. Monty, however, maintained a strict silence on the
subject, and refused to satisfy the curiosity of his friends. Mrs. Drew
had brought down a small crowd, including two pretty Kentucky girls and
a young Chicago millionaire. She lived well and sensibly, with none of
the extravagance that characterized the cottage. Yet it was inevitable
that Brewster's guests should see hers and join some of their riding
parties. Monty pleaded that he was not well enough to be in these
excursions, but neither he nor Barbara cared to over-emphasize their
estrangement.

Peggy Gray was in despair over Monty's attitude. She had become
convinced that behind his pride he was cherishing a secret longing for
Barbara. Yet she could not see how the walls were to be broken down if
he maintained this icy reserve. She was sure that the masterful tone
was the one to win with a girl like that, but evidently Monty would not
accept advice. That he was mistaken about Barbara's feeling she did not
doubt for a moment, and she saw things going hopelessly wrong for want
of a word. There were times when she let herself dream of
possibilities, but they always ended by seeming too impossible. She
cared too much to make the attainment of her vision seem simple. She
cared too much to be sure of anything.

At moments she fancied that she might say a word to Miss Drew which
would straighten things out. But there was something about her which
held her off. Even now that they were thrown together more or less she
could not get beyond a certain barrier. It was not until a sunny day
when she had accepted Barbara's invitation to drive that things seemed
to go more easily. For the first time she felt the charm of the girl,
and for the first time Barbara seemed unreservedly friendly. It was a
quiet drive they were taking through the woods and out along the beach,
and somehow in the open air things simplified