represent all women: his Priscilla and Margaret Moffatt! One,
the crude child of nature with her gleam undimmed, leading her forth
unhampered, though love and suffering blocked her way; the other, the
daughter of ages of refinement and culture, who had heard the call of the
future in her big woman-heart and could leave all else for the sake of
the crown she might never wear, but which, with God's help, she would
never defile.

On, on, they two went before Travers's aching eyes. The way before them
was shining, or was it the light of Priscilla's hair? They were leaving
him, all men, in the dark! It was to seek the light, or----And then
Travers got up and left the room with bowed head, like one turning his
back upon the dead.

He went to Ledyard at once, and found that cheerful gentleman awaiting
him.

"At last!" he cried. "Helen telephoned at seven. She thought you were on
your way here. Did you get lost?"

"Yes."

"What's the matter, Dick? You look as if you had seen a ghost."

"I have. An army of them."

"Are you--ill?"

"No."

"Sit down, boy. Here, take a swallow of wine. You're used up. Now then!"

"Doctor Ledyard, you were wrong--about Huntter! You remember what you
told me, before Margaret Moffatt announced her engagement?"

"Yes." Ledyard poured himself a glass of wine and walked to his chair
across the room.

"You were wrong; he is not what you think."

"What do you mean? I haven't seen Huntter for--for a year or more. I took
care, sacred care, though, to--to trace him from the time he first came
to me, more than ten years ago. No straighter, more honourable man
breathes than he. He was one of the victims of ignorance and crooked
reasoning, but, thank God! he was spared the worst."

"He was--not."

"Dick, in God's name, what do you mean?"

"Hapgood was called in. Huntter has not been in Bermuda; he has been
right here in New York, under Hapgood's care."

"And Hapgood--told you?"

A purplish flush dyed Ledyard's face.

"No."

"Who, then? No sidetracking, Dick. Who?"

"The--the nurse."

"She-devil! Fell in love with her patient? I've struck that kind----"

"Stop!"

Both men were on their feet and glaring at each other.

"You are speaking of my future--wife!"

Ledyard loosened his collar and--laughed!

"You're mad!" he said faintly, "or a damned fool!"

"I'm neither. I am engaged to marry Priscilla Glynn; have been since the
summer. I meant to tell you and mother to-night. I we