Alban."

"I'd be glad to see him," said Dr. Charlton. "But I assure you it's
unnecessary."

"We don't want Dr. Alban," said Selma curtly. "Go home, Jane, and let
us alone."

"I shall go bring Dr. Alban," said Jane.

Selma took her by the arm and compelled her into the hall, and closed
the door into the room where Victor lay. "You must go home, Jane," she
said quietly. "We know what to do with our leader. And we could not
allow Dr. Alban here."

"Victor must have the best," said Jane.

She and Selma looked at each other, and Selma understood.

"He HAS the best," said she, gentle with an effort.

"Dr. Alban is the best," said Jane.

"The most fashionable," said Selma. "Not the best." With restraint,
"Go home. Let us alone. This is no place for you--for Martin
Hastings' daughter."

Jane, looking and acting like one in a trance, tried to push past her
and reenter the room. Selma stood firm. She said: "If you do not go I
shall have these men take you to your carriage. You do not know what
you are doing."

Jane looked at her. "I love him," she said.

"So do we," said Selma. "And he belongs to US. You must go. Come!"
She seized her by the arm, and beckoning one of the waiting Leaguers to
her assistance she pushed her quietly but relentlessly along the hall,
out of the house, out of the yard and into the carriage. Then she
closed the door, while Jane sank back against the cushions.

"Yes, he belongs to you," said Jane; "but I love him. Oh, Selma!"

Selma suddenly burst into tears. "Go, Jane, dear. You MUST go," she
cried.

"At least I'll wait here until--until they are sure," said Jane. "You
can't refuse me that, Selma."

"But they are sure," said Selma. "You must go with your friends. Here
they come."

When Ellen Clearwater and Joe Wetherbe--the second son of the chief
owner of the First National--reached the curb, Selma said to Wetherbe:

"Please stand aside. I've something to say to this lady."

When Wetherbe had withdrawn, she said: "Miss Hastings is--not quite
herself. You had better take her home alone."

Jane leaned from the open carriage window. "Ellen," said she, "I am
going to stay here until Victor recovers consciousness, and I am SURE."

"He has just come around," said Ellen. "He is certain to get well.
His mind is clear."

"I must see for myself," cried Jane.

Selma was preventing her leaving the carriage when Ellen quietly
interfered with a significant l