rful! But not now. It
was too soon to say the things he had to say.

"The most wonderful thing right now," he said, "is that you are going to
be--my friend."

She responded radiantly. "It will be lovely to have a--big brother."

"It will be lovelier to have--a little sister."

He held out his hand to her, and she took it, laughing lightly. And just
then the smiling groom came to say that the gentleman's car was at the
door.

The rain had stopped, but storm signals still showed in the south where
the heavy clouds hung over the horizon. Overhead the sun shone, making
kaleidoscope effects of the spring flowers in the checkered beds.
Against the gray wall of the terraced garden the peach trees had been
trained in foreign fashion and were full of rosy bloom.

Bettina, coming out of the darkened stable, opened her eyes wide.

"What a different world it seems," she said, "from the one we left in
the storm."

Justin helped her into the car. "We'll reach home before the next storm
breaks," he remarked, as he took his seat beside her, "but there's
trouble ahead."

To him the words held no sinister meaning, nor to Bettina. In their
hearts was no fear of the future, nor of the storms which might some day
wreck their happiness.

CHAPTER XI

THE WHITE MAIDEN

Bettina, lonely in her tower, had often looked across enviously to the
brilliantly lighted yacht club on the nights of the weekly dances.

And now she was going to a yacht club dance with Justin in attendance,
and with Sophie for chaperon; with Sara and Doris and Sara's brother
Duke to be added to the party when they reached the club-house pier.

The question of Bettina's gown had been a puzzling one. Sophie had
brought out everything of her own, and Diana, white-faced after a
sleepless night, had tried to put her mind on the matter.

"These are all too elaborate," she said; "she is such a child. Perhaps
it will be best for her to get some new things now, and if you will help
her choose them, it will be a great favor to me, Sophie."

Sophie came over and kissed her. "Poor dear," she murmured.

Diana leaned back against her friend. "Don't," she said in a stifled
voice. "I can't bear it."

They clung together for a moment, then Diana went on steadily, "I am
going to town for a few days, Sophie--I _must_ get away for a bit, and
if you don't mind, you can take Bettina in while I am gone and get her
things. She insists that they shall not be gifts from