with seeming unconsciousness of the havoc which the rain had
wrought on her lovely black gown, made a smiling explanation to Anthony.

"Justin and Bobbie tried to get the top up--but something caught and I
thought we should all be drenched. And then your Harbor Light shone out
to welcome us----"

Anthony was glad that they had come. He craved the lightness and
brightness. He seemed suddenly to be one of them again--not a sad and
somber being set apart. He had a sense of relief in Bettina's absence.
It was as if her youth and beauty showed the contrast of his age.

He took them up to his sitting-room, then excused himself to make his
rounds. "I'm going to have something sent up for you to eat--I know what
slim fare they give at the club on the nights of the dances. I'll be
with you soon."

While they waited for him Sara played; Bobbie and Doris danced--and
Justin talked with Sophie.

He looked worn and white, and a line cut deeply into his forehead.

"I owe you an apology," he said, "for yesterday. But I couldn't help it.
Bettina was so little and lovely--you know I wouldn't harm a hair of her
head----"

Something in his voice made Sophie lay her hand on his. "My dear boy, my
dear boy----"

"I'm awfully hard hit," he said, "but she--she's turned me down. I fancy
it was our last flight together. Do you remember Browning's 'Last
Ride'--

"'And heaven just prove that I and she,
Ride, ride--together--forever ride----'?

"Well, my heaven will be a place where she and I shall drift through
infinite space--together----"

He stood up. Sara was coming toward them--a brilliant little figure in a
flame-colored gown.

"I'm not going to bore you with my worries," Justin said,
quickly--"but--I--I wish you'd be awfully good--to Bettina."

Sophie carried away with her that night the vision of his tragic young
face, and before she went to bed she wrote to Diana, and her letter
ended thus:

"Oh, dearest girl, oh, dearest girl, what have we done, what have we
done----!"

CHAPTER XX

THE "GRAY GULL"

The morning after the storm Justin went forth, moodily, for his morning
flight.

He found opposition, however, to his ascension. "Wait until the
afternoon," was the advice given him; "there's a nasty wind."

He would not listen, but he delayed his departure, preferring to start
alone, and eventually the other aviators drifted off, and he made the
"Gray Gull" ready.

Going down to the pier for a