e she has what children like best.
Percy, come with me a moment, I want to speak to you."

"Oh, thank you, grandpapa," exclaimed Fluff, cheering up at this; and
as the door closed on Mr. Huntingdon, Erle knelt down by the child,
and wiped the tears from the tired dirty little face that had brought
such trouble to him.

And the heart of Fluff was glad within her, for they brought her fruit
and cakes and sweet wine on a gold salver, so that she feasted like a
king's daughter or like the Princess Dove herself; and Erle sat by and
watched her all the time, though he looked rather grave and unhappy,
Fluff thought.

Both of them were rather startled when Mr. Ferrers groped his way
toward them. He had been hidden by the curtain, and Erle had not
noticed him.

"Mr. Erle, if you will allow me, I should like to take the child
home."

"Of course," rousing himself, and looking a little bewildered, "we
were both to have gone this evening. I had ordered the brougham, but I
am afraid now that I must ask you to excuse me. There are
circumstances--and," here Erle paused and bit his lips.

"There is no need for you to go," returned Raby, sorrowfully; "the
bird has flown. This child," putting his hand lightly on Fluff's curly
head, "told me before you came in that Crystal had gone to
America--she started this morning."

"To America?" exclaimed Erle, in an incredulous voice.

"Yes, but she has told me no particulars. It is hard, very hard, is it
not. I find one does not get used to disappointment. It is a heavy
blow to my faith. I thought that to-night we should certainly have
met."

"I am awfully sorry, Mr. Ferrers, I am indeed. I wish I could have
come with you."

"You could not help me. I will take the child home, and talk to those
kind friends who have sheltered Crystal; at least I shall hear about
her, and know her future movements."

"I think I hear the cab, Mr. Ferrers, and Fluff is fast asleep."

"We will not wake her, poor little thing," returned Raby, lifting her
up as he spoke. Fluff grunted contentedly as her head dropped on his
broad shoulder. Erle watched them as Roger guided them to the cab. How
he longed to accompany them. The next moment he turned with a start,
as his uncle's slow footstep paused beside him.

"Erle," he said, "look at this," and he held out a costly ring, a half
hoop of diamonds. "I have heard all I wish from Percy. His sense of
honor is none of the finest, but he is useful to me. You and