e,
indeed, that she liked it in him, it seemed so expressive of his
masculine forcefulness and decision of character.

"How different you are from Mr. Brand," she answered smiling. "He
would say in such case, 'If you want it why don't you buy it at once?
There's no time like the present for doing the things you want to
do.'"

His brows came together in a quick frown and his eyes flashed as he
said: "Yes, I know that is his philosophy of life. But it's not mine
by a long ways. I think it despicable."

His voice sounded harsh and angry and Henrietta looked up in surprise
at the intensity of feeling it betrayed.

Then she remembered Dr. Annister's suggestion and exclaimed, "Oh, by
the way, I've a message for you!"

He listened with interest as she told him of Dr. Annister's desire to
see him and asked if he could either go there with her now or make an
appointment for another day.

"It would be kind of you to go," she added. "You have relieved my mind
so much about Mr. Brand that I am hoping you can make them feel a
little less anxious, too--especially Miss Annister. I suppose you know
she and Mr. Brand are engaged!"

"Yes, I know it," he answered curtly as he looked at his watch. "I
have some leisure time now, a couple of hours, and I can go at once as
well as not. I don't know," he went on doubtfully, "whether or not
Miss Annister will want to see me. She is much prejudiced against me."

Henrietta's mind flew back to the decided opinions Mildred had
advanced to the reporters, which, however, she was glad to remember,
they had modified in their accounts.

"She was, some weeks ago," Henrietta began reassuringly.

"And is yet," he declared. "I happen to know that her feeling toward
me is very hostile. And Felix has encouraged her in it."

"She is so very much in love with Mr. Brand and so wildly anxious it
would be a great kindness to give her even a little comfort,"
Henrietta gently urged.

"I'll do what I can," he replied after a moment's hesitation. He spoke
slowly and his companion, looking up, wondered at the extremely
serious expression that had come into his face.

As they entered the Annister home, Mildred and her mother were
descending the stairs, dressed for the street. Henrietta looked up
from the doorway and saw Mildred's countenance transfigured with
sudden joy.

The girl sprang down the steps with a cry of "Oh, Felix, Felix!"
Gordon stepped in from the vestibule where his features had been