ng, through the gay tumult all about them, "there is going to be
dancing presently. Did you hear?"

"Yes," she whispered with lowered eyes.

"You will dance with only one to-night," he said. "That is understood, is
it?"

"Yes," she whispered again.

"Good!" he said. And then imperiously, "Why don't you drink some wine?"

She made a slight, startled movement. "I never do, I don't like it."

"You need it," he said, and made a curt sign to one of the servants.

Wine was poured into her glass, and she drank submissively. The
discipline of the past two weeks had made her wholly docile. And the wine
warmed and cheered her in a fashion that made her think that perhaps he
was right and she had needed it.

When the dinner came to an end she was feeling far less scared and
strange. Guests were beginning to assemble for the dance, and as they
passed out people whom she knew by sight but to whom she had never spoken
came up and talked with her as though they were old friends. Several men
asked her to dance, but she steadily refused them all. Her turn would
come later.

"I am going up to see Mrs. Everard," was her excuse. "She is expecting
me."

And then Scott came, and she turned to him with eager welcome. "Oh,
please, will you take me to see Isabel?"

He gave her a straight, intent look, and led her out of the throng.

His hand rested upon her arm as they mounted the stairs and she thought
he moved with deliberate slowness. At the top he spoke.

"Dinah, before you see her I ought to prepare you for a change. She has
been losing ground lately. She is not--what she was."

Dinah stopped short. "Oh, Scott!" She said in breathless dismay.

His hand pressed upon her, but it seemed to be imparting strength rather
than seeking it. "I think I told you that day at the Dower House that she
was nearing the end of her journey. I don't want to sadden you. You
mustn't be sad. But you couldn't see her without knowing. It won't be
quite yet; but it will be--soon."

He spoke with the utmost quietness; his face never varied. His eyes with
their steady comradeship looked straight into hers, stilling her
distress.

"She is so tired," he said gently. "I don't think it ought to grieve us
that her rest is drawing near at last. She has so longed for it, poor
girl."

"Oh, Scott!" Dinah said again, but she said it this time without
consternation. His steadfast strength had given her confidence.

"Shall we go to her?" he said. "At lea