responsibility. "Besides, it is stupid of me to be so good-for-nothing
these days. I wish I had half your energy."

"An energy which does nothing for other people isn't worth much as a
possession, Bianca," the older girl returned. "But don't try to talk,
and let us walk slowly as you wish. The blame is all mine and I will
bear the full burden of it on our return. I am only afraid Mrs. Clark
will not encourage our being together again."

At the edge of the woods near the place where they had entered Bianca
had to sit down for a little time to rest.

"Wait here and I will run ahead for a short distance. Perhaps I may find
Miss Pringle still searching for us, little as I deserve her kindness,
or perhaps I can find some kind of vehicle, Bianca. If not I will ask
some one who will go back to Coblenz and get a car for us. I really do
not think you can manage to walk the rest of the way. Don't be
frightened, I won't be long."

Charlotta was not long. A quarter of a mile away, Major James Hersey,
who was having his usual afternoon exercise on one of the army horses,
heard his name called unexpectedly by a voice which he recognized at
once.

The next moment the Countess Charlotta had explained the situation. In a
short time Bianca was seated on horseback with her arms about Charlotta
while Major Hersey walked beside them into Coblenz. As Bianca did not
know how to ride, she preferred that Charlotta should ride in front.

CHAPTER XVII

_Faith and Unfaith_

WITHIN the next weeks Major Jimmie Hersey found himself much less lonely
than during the earlier part of his stay in the occupied city of
Coblenz. Of late a pleasant friendship had been developing between the
young Countess Charlotta and himself.

After her too lengthy walk, Bianca Zoli had been ill and not able to
spend as much time with her new friend as she formerly had.

At first Charlotta had been inconsolable, blaming herself for Bianca's
breakdown and refusing to amuse herself in any of her accustomed ways.
But with the arrival of spring it became impossible for her to remain
indoors, especially as she was only permitted to see Bianca for a few
moments each day. It was not that Dr. and Mrs. Clark particularly blamed
Charlotta, Bianca being entirely responsible for her own actions.
Moreover, Dr. Clark did not believe that any one exhausting experience
had been the cause of Bianca's illness but an accumulating number of
them, especially her presence i