hour.

There was to be a midnight service at the parish church in honor of the
New Year, and Anne determined to go. She wanted all the spiritual help
possible in her present state of perplexity. The unhappy love that
existed between her and Giles, the enmity of Daisy, the anxiety of the
anonymous letter--these things worried her not a little. She received
permission from Mrs. Morley to go to the midnight service.

"But be careful Daisy does not see you," said she anxiously.

"Is Daisy going also?"

"Yes. Giles is coming to take her in his motor-car."

"I hope she will say nothing to him about the letter."

"I'll see to that. She is much quieter and recognizes how foolish she
has been. It will be all right."

Morley was much upset by the state of affairs. But a few days before and
life had been all plain sailing, now there was little else but trouble
and confusion. His ruddy face was pale, and he had a careworn
expression. For the most part of the day he remained in his library and
saw no one. Towards the evening he asked his wife not to bring the
triplets to the library as usual, as he had to see some one on business.
Who it was he refused to say, and Mrs. Morley, having no curiosity, did
not press the question.

After dinner the visitor arrived--a tall man muffled in a great-coat
against the cold, and wearing a thick white scarf round his throat. He
was shown into the library and remained with Mr. Morley till after nine.
About that time Anne found occasion to go into the library in search of
a book. She had not heard the prohibition of Morley, and did not
hesitate to enter without knocking, supposing that no one was within.

Meantime Daisy dressed herself very carefully in expectation of Ware's
arrival. He was to take her for a ride in his motor before Church, and
then they were to go to the service together. There was plenty of snow
on the ground, but the nights were always bright with moonlight. Daisy
had a fancy for a moonlight ride, and Giles was willing to humor her.
She expected him about ten, and descended shortly after nine to watch
for him from the drawing-room window.

Outside it was almost as light as day, and the white sheet of snow threw
back a reflection of the moonlight. Daisy gazed eagerly down the avenue,
where the leafless trees rocked in the cutting wind. Unexpectedly she
saw a tall man come round the corner of the house and walk swiftly down
the avenue. She knew from Mrs. Morley that the