n as Barker had brought them to a stand. Then Barker,
arrayed in a new hat, patent-leather boots, a very long frock-coat, and
a very expensive rose, descended lightly from his chariot and swiftly
ascended the steps, seeming to tread half on air and half on egg-shells.
And a few minutes later he again appeared, accompanied by the Countess
Margaret, looking dark and pale and queenly. A proud man was dandy Silas
as he helped her to her place, and going to the other side, got in and
took the ribbands. Many were the glances that shot from the two edges of
the road at the unknown beauty whom Silas drove by his side, and
obsequious were the bows of Silas's friends as they passed. Even the
groggy old man who drives the water-cart on Bellevue Avenue could scarce
forbear to cheer as she went by.

And so they drove away, side by side. Barker knew very well that
Claudius had taken his leave the day before, and to tell the truth, he
was a good deal surprised that Margaret should be willing to accept this
invitation. He had called to ask her, because he was not the man to let
the grass grow under his feet at any time, much less when he was laying
siege to a woman. For with women time is sometimes everything. And being
of a reasonable mind, when Mr. Barker observed that he was surprised, he
concluded that there must be some good reason for his astonishment, and
still more that there must be some very good reason why Margaret should
accept his first invitation to a _tete-a-tete_ afternoon. From one
reflection to another, he came at last to the conclusion that she must
be anxious to learn some details concerning the Doctor's departure, from
which again he argued that Claudius had not taken her into his
confidence. The hypothesis that she might be willing to make an effort
with him for Claudius's justification Mr. Barker dismissed as
improbable. And he was right. He waited, therefore, for her to broach
the subject, and confined himself, as they drove along, to remarks about
the people they passed, the doings of the Newport summer, concerning
which he had heard all the gossip during the last few hours, the
prospect of Madame Patti in opera during the coming season, horses,
dogs, and mutual friends--all the motley array of subjects permissible,
desultory, and amusing. Suddenly, as they bowled out on an open road by
the sea, Margaret began.

"Why has Dr. Claudius gone abroad," she asked, glancing at Barker's
face, which remained impenetrab