aith knew--Peg, who had died to save the Beggar Man's
life, Peg whom she would never see again.

Later, driven by an irresistible impulse and her own terrible
loneliness, she went up to Peg's empty bedroom and stood in the doorway.

Its gaudiness no longer offended her, though the bright sunlight flooded
the room and shone glaringly on the brilliant green cushions and
horrible wall-paper.

Peg's Oriental slippers stood at the foot of the bed and her gay
dressing-gown hung limply across a chair.

It seemed impossible that Peg would never come back any more.

She had always been so alive! Oh, it could not be really true that she
was dead.

A half-finished pink-backed novelette lay on the bed where Peg had flung
it down unfinished last night when she went out, and Faith took it up
with reverent fingers.

She opened it at the page Peg had been reading, and of which she had
turned down the corner, and her eyes fell on the words:

"But the beautiful girl had died with a smile on her rosy red lips. She
had given her life for love, and for love's dear sake, and was
content...."

Faith shivered. Peg had died the death she would have chosen, had the
choice been given to her, she knew, and yet....

"If I could only see her again!" The thought rushed through Faith's
heart with passionate longing.

Peg had been such a true friend. A thousand little memories came
crowding back to her as she stood there in the rainbow room which Peg
had so adored.

Just to see her for a moment, just to say she was sorry, to ask her
pardon, to thank her for all she had done.

But it was too late. The most passionate prayer in all the world can
never put back the hand of time even for one second.

The day dragged away, and the house quieted down. It was like a tomb,
Faith thought, as she wandered restlessly about through the empty rooms.

She felt as if she would go mad in her loneliness. She would have given
her soul for someone in whom she could confide.

The maids came to try and coax her to eat, but she shook her head.

"I can't. Oh, please leave me alone!"

Later in the evening she crept downstairs and stood outside her
husband's closed door. He was alone there she knew! She wondered what he
was thinking--if his thoughts were of Peg--and suddenly Mr. Shawyer's
words came back to her.

"Surely it is worth sacrificing a little pride to win a great
happiness."

Was it still hers to win? She had no real hope, but her feet
unc