smiled. "I can't help feeling anxious about her. It has always been
my fear that, when the glamour of first love is past, Trevor might
misjudge her. She is so gay and bright that many people think her empty.
I know my mother does for one."

"Your mother might," he conceded. "Trevor wouldn't--being a man of
considerable insight. Tell you what, though, if you want to satisfy
yourself on the score of Chris's happiness, we will get them to put us up
for a night when we leave here for town three weeks hence. How will that
suit you?"

"I should love it, of course," she said. "But wouldn't it be rather far
out of our way?"

"I daresay the car won't mind," said Lord Percy.

They walked back to the house that a friend had lent for their
three-months' honeymoon. It nestled in a hollow amongst trees, the long
line of moors stretching above it. They were well out of the beaten
track. Few tourists penetrated to their paradise. Near the house was a
glade with a miniature waterfall that filled the place with music.

"That waterfall makes for laziness," Lord Percy was wont to declare, and
many were the happy hours they had spent beside it.

They passed it by without lingering to-day, however, for both were
feeling energetic. Briskly they crossed the little lawn before the house,
and entered by a French window.

"Better secure some refreshments before we go on the tramp," suggested
Lord Percy. "I've got a thirst already. Hullo! What on earth--"

He broke off in amazement. A slight figure had risen up suddenly from a
settee in a dark corner; and a woman's face, wild-eyed and tragic,
confronted them.

"Great Scott! Who is it?" said Lord Percy Davenant.

And "Chris!" exclaimed Hilda, at the same moment.

As for Chris, she stood a second, staring at them; then: "Trevor has
turned me out, so I've come to you," she said her white lips moving
stiffly. "I've nowhere else to go."

With the words she stumbled forward, feeling vaguely out before her as
though she saw not. Hilda started towards her on the instant, caught her,
folded warm arms about her, held her fast.

"My darling!" she said, and again, "My darling!"

But Chris heard not, nor saw, nor felt. She had reached the end of her
strength, and black darkness had closed down upon her agony, blotting out
all things. She sank senseless in her cousin's embrace....

It was long before they brought her back, so long that Hilda became
frightened and dispatched her husband in the