d him?" she cried hoarsely.

"No, no; not yet. But she may any time."

"Good Lord! Why haven't you told me this before? Call Isobel! No! she's
at church! Get Ranny! Somebody must go after the child!"

Quin laid a quieting hand on her arm, which was shaking as if with the
palsy.

"Don't get excited," he urged. "Somebody did go after her last night, and
brought her home."

"But where is she now? Where is that contemptible Phipps? I'll have him
arrested! Are you sure Nellie is safe?"

"I left her safe and sound at the Martels' half an hour ago. Will you
listen while I tell you all about it?"

As quietly as he could he told the story, interrupted again and again by
Madam's hysterical outbursts. When he had finished she struggled to her
feet.

"The child is stark mad!" she cried. "I am going after her this instant."

"She won't see you," warned Quin.

"I'll show you whether she sees me or not! I am going to bring her home
with me to-night. She's got to be protected against that scoundrel. Ring
for the carriage!"

Quin did not move. "She said if any of you started after her you'd find
her gone when you got there."

"But who will tell her?"

"I will. I promised she wouldn't have to see you. It was the only way I
could get her back from Chicago."

She scowled at him in silence, measuring his determination against her
own.

"Very well," she said at last. "Since you are in such high favor, go and
tell her that she can come home, and nothing more will be said about it.
I suppose there's nothing else to do under the circumstances. But I'll
teach her a lesson later!"

Quin balanced the paper-knife carefully on one finger.

"I don't think you quite understand," he said. "She isn't coming home.
She still says she is going to marry Mr. Phipps. He will probably get her
telegram when he goes to the hotel, and when she doesn't turn up in
Chicago he will take the first train down here. That's the way I've
figured it out."

"And do you think I am going to sit here, and do nothing while all this
is taking place?"

"No; that's what I been driving at all along. I want you and Miss Nell to
come to some compromise before he gets here."

"What sort of compromise? Haven't I swallowed my pride and promised to
say nothing if she comes back? Does she want me to get down on my knees
and apologize?"

"No. That's the trouble. She don't want you to do anything. All she is
thinking about is getting married and going to New Yor