world. Sitting by her window, watching the
shadows pass, Marjory was sensing this. The knowledge was coming
slowly, imperceptibly; but it was bringing her strength. It was
steadying her nerves. It was preparing her for the supreme test.

Because that very day, toward sunset-time, as she still sat by her
window, she saw a shadow that looked like Monte. She smiled a little,
because she knew it would soon dissolve. Rapidly the shadow strode
along the quay until opposite the hotel. Then, instead of vanishing,
it came on--straight toward her. She sprang to her feet, leaning back
against the wall, not daring to look again. So she stood, counting her
heart-beats; for she was still certain that when a hundred or so of
them had passed, the illusion also would fade.

Marjory did not have time to count a full hundred heart-beats before
she heard a light rap at the door. For the fraction of a second she
swayed in the fear that, taking the stairs three at a time, Monte might
have ventured to her very room. But it would be with no such gentle
tap that he would announce himself.

"Yes?" she called.

"A card for madame," came the voice of the garcon.

Her knees still weak, she crossed the room and took the card. There
was no longer any hope left to her. Apparitions do not materialize to
the point where they present their cards.

"Madame is in?" queried the boy.

"What else can I say?" she asked, as if, in her desperate need, seeking
counsel of him.

The boy shrugged his shoulders.

"If madame desires, I can report madame is away," he offered.

It was all one to him. It was all one to every one else in the world
but herself. No one was interested. She was alone. Then why had not
Monte himself let her alone? That was the point, but to determine that
it was necessary to see him.

It was possible he had come merely by chance. It was possible he had
come to see Peter, not knowing that Peter had gone. It was possible he
had returned this way in order to take the Mediterranean route home.
On the face of it, anything was more probable than that he had come
deliberately to see her.

"You will ask monsieur to wait, and I will be down in a few moments,"
she replied to the boy.

She called to Marie.

"I have a caller," she announced nervously. "You must make me look as
young as possible."

Even if she had grown old inside, there was no reason why she should
reveal her secret.

"I am glad," nodded Marie.