as I have."

They had reached Diana's house, and Sophie asked Sara to come in.

"I can't. It's getting late and I must dress for dinner----"

"Some other time then, dear?"

"Yes--I shall love it." Then, with some hesitation, "I'm afraid I've
said more than I should----"

Sophie bent and kissed her. "Not a bit. I'm a perfect keeper of
confidences--and not a soul shall share what you've told me----"

Delia met Mrs. Martens in the hall.

"Dr. Blake's on the porch," she said, "and he's asking about
Bettina----"

"Hasn't she come?"

"No."

"What time is it, Delia----"

"Half-past six----"

"Of all the mad things to do," said Anthony, as Sophie went out to him.
"I shall certainly call Justin to strict account--for asking her----"

"She shouldn't have gone," Sophie said. "I can't imagine how he induced
her. She's such a little coward."

"They've been away three hours. I went over to the sheds and started a
motor boat to search for them. They are beginning to realize over there
that something may have happened."

"Did Justin ask Betty while you were with her?"

"No. He simply showed us around, and said he'd walk home with her. Oh,
the young fool, the young fool. He can risk his own life if he
chooses--but he had no right to take--that child----"

The telephone rang, and Sophie, answering, found Justin at the other
end.

"We're at Gloucester, safe and sound. I'm awfully sorry if you've
worried, Mrs. Martens. But I could not get to a 'phone before this.
We'll come back by train, and Betty says you're not to wait dinner.
We'll get something here. We're all right, really--only sorry if you are
upset."

"We are very much upset," Sophie told him, severely. "Anthony is here,
and he is extremely anxious."

"He needn't worry," grimly. "I can take care of her."

Mrs. Martens, explaining the situation to Anthony a few minutes later,
refrained, tactfully, from giving Justin's exact words.

Anthony dined with her, then went off to see Miss Matthews, who had
asked him to prescribe for her cold.

"Call me up when Bettina comes," he said, as he left.

Sophie promised, and watched him drive away in his little car. She had
never seen him so nervous, so irritable. Was this what the thwarting of
his life would mean--that he would let go of the serenity which had made
his presence a benediction to his little world?

Or was it really love for Bettina which so disturbed him? Stranger
things had happened. Diana was a