to bring her father's legal adviser to the
Ryder residence at such an hour! She thought he was in Washington.
Could it be that the proceedings in the Senate were ended and the
result known? She could hardly conceal her anxiety, and
instinctively she placed her hand on Ryder's arm.

"No, Mr. Ryder, do see Judge Stott! You must see him. I know who
he is. Your son has told me. Judge Stott is one of Judge
Rossmore's advisers. See him. You may find out something about the
girl. You may find out where she is. If Jefferson finds out you
have refused to see her father's friend at such a critical time it
will only make him sympathize more deeply with the Rossmores, and
you know sympathy is akin to love. That's what you want to avoid,
isn't it?"

Ryder still held the telephone, hesitating what to do. What she
said sounded like good sense.

"Upon my word--" he said. "You may be right and yet--"

"Am I to help you or not?" demanded Shirley. "You said you wanted
a woman's wit."

"Yes," said Ryder, "but still--"

"Then you had better see him," she said emphatically.

Ryder turned to the telephone.

"Hello, Jorkins, are you there? Show Judge Stott up here." He laid
the receiver down and turned again to Shirley. "That's one thing I
don't like about you," he said. "I allow you to decide against me
and then I agree with you." She said nothing and he went on
looking at her admiringly. "I predict that you'll bring that boy
to your feet within a month. I don't know why, but I seem to feel
that he is attracted to you already. Thank Heaven! you haven't a
lot of troublesome relations. I think you said you were almost
alone in the world. Don't look so serious," he added laughing.
"Jeff is a fine fellow, and believe me an excellent catch as the
world goes."

Shirley raised her hand as if entreating him to desist.

"Oh, don't--don't--please! My position is so false! You don't know
how false it is!" she cried.

At that instant the library door was thrown open and the butler
appeared, ushering in Stott. The lawyer looked anxious, and his
dishevelled appearance indicated that he had come direct from the
train. Shirley scanned his face narrowly in the hope that she
might read there what had happened. He walked right past her,
giving no sign of recognition, and advanced direct towards Ryder,
who had risen and remained standing at his desk.

"Perhaps I had better go?" ventured Shirley, although tortured by
anxiety to hear the news fr