e of her
coming; and for an instant he forgot his worry in the perception that
this woman had divined his thought.

"There's no one here," he said, at last, in a tone of relief, which
betrayed him once more.

"No," Diane replied, half turning round. "Perhaps we had better go back
to the drawing-room. My mother-in-law will be getting tired."

"Wait," he said, imperiously. "Isn't that--?"

He was again conscious of having admitted her into a sort of confidence;
but he had scarcely time to regret it before there was a flash of red
between the tall potted shrubs that screened an alcove. Dorothea
sauntered into view, with Carli Wappinger, bending slightly over her,
walking by her side. They were too deep in conversation to know
themselves observed; but the earnestness with which the young man spoke
became evident when he put out his hand and laid it gently on the muff
Dorothea held before her. In the act, from which Dorothea did not draw
back, there was nothing beyond the admission of a certain degree of
intimacy; but Diane felt, through all her highly trained subconscious
sensibilities, the shock it produced in Derek's mind.

The situation belonged too entirely to the classic repertoire of life to
present any difficulties to a woman who knew that catastrophe is often
averted by keeping close to the commonplace.

"Isn't she pretty!" she exclaimed, in a tone of polite enthusiasm.
"Mayn't I speak to her? I haven't met her yet."

Before she had finished the concluding words, or Wappinger had withdrawn
his hand from Dorothea's muff, she had glided across the floor, and
disturbed the young people from their absorption in each other.

"Mr. Wappinger," Derek heard her say, as he approached, "I want you to
introduce me to Miss Pruyn. I'm Mrs. Eveleth, Miss Pruyn," she
continued, without waiting for Carli's intermediary offices. "I couldn't
go away without saying just a word to you."

If she supposed she was coming to Dorothea's rescue in a moment which
might be one of embarrassment, she found herself mistaken. No
experienced dowager could have been more amiable to a nice governess
than Dorothea Pruyn to a lady in reduced circumstances. A facility in
adapting herself to other people's manners enabled Diane to accept her
cue; and presently all four were on their way back to the drawing-room,
where farewells were spoken.

[Illustration: DRAWN BY FRANK CRAIG
PRESENTLY ALL FOUR WERE ON THEIR WAY BACK TO THE DRAWING-ROOM]

W