ink it advisable. The court
physician will call on you at the hospital this afternoon. Both your
father and I are at a loss to understand how you managed to fall from
your horse when ordinarily you are so skilful a rider."

The speaker was a severe, elderly person, rather massive, and dressed in
a heavy black silk gown, with her white hair piled high under an
imposing bonnet and her thin lips drawn into an annoyed line.

Nevertheless, she managed to keep the tones of her voice fairly even.

"Naturally enough I realize, Charlotta, that you would refuse to be
influenced by me, although for that matter you have never been
influenced by any one from the time you were a child."

The girl bit her lips.

"I am afraid I am not well enough to argue at present and my unfortunate
disposition, Tante, is rather a time-worn subject between us. I shall do
no harm here, only rest and have a little peace from our everlasting
discussions. Besides, you do not seem to consider the fact that I happen
to be rather seriously hurt. No one knows how seriously at present, a
broken arm and a cut on one's head are not comfortable afflictions, even
if they are not dangerous. But the physicians at the American Red Cross
hospital who were good enough to rescue and bring me here seem to
believe there may be other complications and that I had best stay where
I am for the present. Please be as gracious as possible, I have asked
Mrs. Clark to come in this afternoon and be introduced to you. Her
husband is a prominent American surgeon who has gone on with General
Pershing toward Germany. She is here with a few other Red Cross nurses
caring for a number of American soldiers until they are well enough to
be moved. I think we owe her special courtesy as a guest in our
country."

"I am apt to forget the fact Charlotta, or what is required of me, even
though I do regard it as unfortunate that the American army should have
left us a special reminder of their visit, once having passed through
our country."

There was an iciness in the manner of the Countess Scherin which gave
one the right to believe that she had no enthusiasm for the American
army, whatever personal reasons of state might compel her to courtesy.

Before replying the young Countess Charlotta Scherin dropped back on her
pillows.

"If you don't mind, Tante, would you mind ringing the bell? I am sure
you would prefer seeing Mrs. Clark in the drawing-room and I am
suffering a good deal ju