you to be a part of himself and help with the big
things he was planning to do. He had so many wonderful plans in which
you were to help. Instead of running away from cares and worries, it
was as though meeting these was what was going to make it May-time.
Instead of riding off to some fairy kingdom, he seemed to feel that it
was this that would make a fairy kingdom even of New York.
Because"--she lowered her voice--"it was of a home and of children he
talked, and of what a fine mother you would make. He talked of
that--and somehow, Marjory, it made me proud just to be a woman! Oh,
perhaps I should n't repeat such things!"

Marjory sprang to her feet.

"You should n't repeat them!" she exclaimed. "You mustn't repeat
anything more! And I must n't listen!"

"It is only because you're the woman I came to know so well, sitting by
his bed in the dark, that I dared," she said gently.

"You'll go now?" pleaded Marjory. "I must n't listen to any more."

Silently, as if frightened by what she had already said, Beatrice moved
toward the door.

Marjory hurried after her.

"You're good," she cried, "and Peter's good! And I--"

The girl finished for her:--

"No matter what happens, you'll always be to me Peter's Marjory," she
said. "You'll always keep me proud."

CHAPTER XVI

A WALK ON THE QUAY

Monte, stepping out of his room early after a restless night, saw a
black-haired young man wearing a shade over his eyes fumbling about for
the elevator button. He had the thin, nervous mouth and the square jaw
of an American.

Monte stepped up to him.

"May I help you?" he asked.

"Thank you," answered Noyes; "I thought I could make it alone, but
there is n't much light here."

Monte took his arm and assisted him to the elevator. The man appeared
half blind. His heart went out to him at once. As they reached the
first floor the stranger again hesitated. He smiled nervously.

"I wanted to get out in the air," he explained. "I thought I could
find a valet to accompany me."

Monte hesitated. He did not want to intrude, but there was something
about this helpless American that appealed to him. Impulsively he
said: "Would you come with me? Covington is my name. I 'm just off
for a walk along the quay."

"Noyes is my name," answered Peter. "I'd like to come, but I don't
want to trouble you to that extent."

Monte took his arm.

"Come on," he said. "It's a bully morning."

"The air smells