stimulating and now and then amusing.

This afternoon as he was feeling tired he proposed that she occupy the
front seat of the little motor car with him, Ruth and Dr. Mendel sitting
in the rear.

Following no guide except their own impressions they drove through the
city, first past the Grand Ducal Palace then the handsome residences of
the nobility and finally to the open country on the outskirts of the
city.

To all four of the occupants of the car it seemed to have had wings, so
short a time did their drive absorb.

Nevertheless Thea and Dr. Raymond had not enjoyed each other
particularly.

They were both tired and Thea was having one of the attacks of
depression from which she often suffered. She looked both homely and
pale, and even her eyes were less blue beneath their straight, red-brown
lashes. Only her red hair breaking into irrepressible little waves under
her small hat was full of life and charm.

Reaching the end of the main road from which two country lanes branched
off into less inhabited portions of the countryside, Dr. Raymond turned
to speak to Ruth Carroll and Dr. Mendel.

"I am sorry, it seems to me our ride has scarcely begun, and yet I feel
we had best turn back here. We might allow ourselves a little more time
but I am afraid if we try one of these unexplored roads we may lose
ourselves somewhere."

Ruth made a little nod of agreement even though her expression revealed
disappointment. Dr. Mendel made no reply.

But unexpectedly Dr. Raymond felt a hand laid lightly on his coat
sleeve.

"Please do go a little further," Thea begged. "I wonder if you know that
although I am a country girl I have ridden in automobiles only a few
times in my life before coming to France."

Hesitating the young doctor slowed down his car as if expecting to turn
around.

"I am not in the habit of neglecting my duty for any reason whatsoever,
Miss Thompson. I have just explained that I dared not attempt a strange
country road for fear we might go astray and our return to the hospital
be seriously delayed."

Undoubtedly the young Red Cross doctor's manner was self-righteous and
precise, but in answer Thea laughed.

It was an odd laugh which made him flush uncomfortably.

"Oh, please do go back then at once!" she said. "Nothing would make me
ask you to disregard your duty. Really Dr. Raymond, it is a wonderful
experience to know any one who so perfectly answers all the requirements
of a model character.