that he would be kept away by some
inconsiderate patient. But now he was here, and she was to have her next
dance with Justin. Could anything be lovelier than to spend her evening
thus between lover and friend, having Anthony's strength and kindliness
to make her feel secure, and Justin's glowing youth to match her own.

She decided that when she and Anthony were alone she would tell him
about the race in the storm, and about her friendly compact with Justin.
She was never going to keep anything from Anthony. Why, he was the best
man in the whole wide world--the very best.

She looked up at him with her eyes like stars and he, meeting that
radiant glance, asked, "Are you happy, child?"

She blushed and nodded. "Very, very happy!"

And after that she danced in dreamy silence until Justin came for her.

At supper, Anthony claimed Bettina as a matter of course, leaving Mrs.
Martens to Justin. The four of them, with Bobbie and Doris and Sara and
her brother ate at a little table on the club-house porch. In the pale
light of the lanterns Bettina's beauty was more than ever ethereal.

Justin, watching her with puzzled eyes, took note of her dependence upon
Anthony, of her confiding manner, of her undoubted interest in him. Now
and then she flashed a glance at Justin, and he was forced to content
himself with such occasional crumbs from the queen's table.

But he grew restless and uneasy. Anthony easily dominated the little
group. It was in such moments that he was at his best. His brilliant
wit, his forceful personality, had never been displayed to better
advantage.

Justin, beside him, felt young and crude. He told himself that he had
nothing to fear. Everybody knew that Anthony cared only for Diana. Yet,
even as he comforted himself, he saw Bettina's look of triumphant pride
as Anthony brought a clever story to its climax, and his heart raged in
impotent jealousy.

They all went back together in Bobbie's motor boat, and in the darkness
Justin managed to say to Bettina, "So you've deserted me."

"Oh, no," she protested, "but you see I couldn't desert--Anthony."

"Has he, then, the first claim?" his voice shook as his dull resentment
flamed.

She hesitated. "He--has been so kind--and he's a sort of guardian--you
know----"

She dared not tell him more than that, for had she not promised Diana
that she would not? Her nature was so crystal clear that she would have
been glad to set things straight, to tell him th