s now clear. Laura, however, followed her, saying in a
low tone: "Is Mrs. Bradford at home this morning?"

"No," said Caroline, "she has gone to see Mrs. Graham."

"Ah, I thought so." She paused. "Are you going straight home?"

"Yes, at least, I have only one other errand," said Caroline. With
that she turned to the man behind the counter who was waiting to
transact her business, and Laura went out of the bank.

Caroline walked home, thinking once or twice about the incident, for
Laura's manner seemed odd if she only wanted to know whether Mrs.
Bradford were at home or not. Then about an hour later, when she was
near a front window, she chanced to see Laura coming up the drive. So
going to the door; she said at once: "I'm sorry, but Mrs. Bradford has
not come in yet. Do you care to leave a message?"

As Laura stood there hesitating, that odd mixture of maturity and a
sort of girlish angularity in her appearance became unusually marked.
"No--no message. I--I think I will just come in."

"But I am afraid Mrs. Bradford may be some time," said Caroline.

Laura looked at her as if seeking something in her face, then repeated
awkwardly: "Oh! I think I will just come in."

So Caroline led the way to the sitting-room, but just as she was about
to go, Laura said quickly: "I suppose you like the idea of working at
an office?"

"Oh yes; I think it will be all right, thank you," said Caroline,
moving on towards the door all the time. She did not want to stay in
the same room with this girl who was to marry Godfrey. Let them marry
and be happy, so far as she was concerned; but she did not want to have
anything to do with either of them again.

Then she went through the door, but before she was across the hall she
heard Laura's voice raised on a sort of high, breathless note calling
after her: "Don't--don't go, yet. I--we so seldom have a chat.
This--this must have been a most trying time for you."

Caroline went back and stood just within the door, her small face pale
and rather severe. What did this girl want of her? For she could see
that there was something behind those halting words which Laura felt
either afraid or ashamed to say. She would not help by a single word.
No, not though the kind brown eyes began to distress her a little, like
those of a dog with a hurt paw.

"I suppose office work is really what you like best?" said Laura
nervously. "You think you will really enjoy it? You"--she drew a