look
of happiness that came into her eyes which, as a rule, were grave, and
when in repose even sad in expression.

"I owe this to a most considerate patient who thought fit to be taken
ill at Genoa and to telegraph for me," he said in explanation; "and
being in Italy, I thought I might as well take my yearly outing now."

"Capital idea!" said Raeburn. "You are the very man we wanted. What with
the meetings and interviews, I don't get much peace even here, and Erica
is much in need of an escort sometimes. How did you find us?"

"They told me at the hotel that I should probably find you here, though,
if I had known what a wilderness of a place it is I should have been
rather hopeless."

Erica left most of the talking to her father; just then she felt no
wish to put a single thought into words. She wanted only to enjoy the
blissful dream-like happiness which was so new, and rare, and wonderful
that it brought with it the feeling that any very definite thought or
word must bring it to an end. Perfect harmony with your surroundings.
Yes, that was indeed a very true definition of happiness; and of late
the surroundings had been so grim and stormy. She seemed to tread upon
air as they roamed about the lovely walks. The long, green vistas were
to her a veritable paradise. Her father looked so happy, too, and had so
entirely shaken off his cares, and Brian, who was usually rather silent,
seemed today a perfect fountain of talk.

Since that December day in Westminster Hall a great change had come
over Erica. Not a soul besides Brian and herself knew anything about the
scene with Sir Algernon Wyte. Not a word had passed between them since
upon the subject; but perhaps because of the silence, that day was
all the more in the thoughts of each. The revelation of Brian's
love revealed also to Erica much in his character which had hitherto
perplexed her simply because she had not seen it in the true light.
There had always been about him a wistfulness bordering on sadness which
had sometimes almost angered her. For so little do even intimate
friends know each other, that lives, which seem all peaceful and full of
everything calculated to bring happiness, are often the ones which are
preyed upon by some grievous trouble or anxiety unknown to any outsider.
If he had indeed loved her all those seven years he must have suffered
fearfully. What the suffering had been Erica could, from her present
position, understand well enough. The