l me the truth?"

She had looked at him, dumbly, and he had rushed away, leaving her
unforgiven.

She had written at once to Diana, asking to be released from her promise
to keep her engagement secret. "People ought to know," was the reason
she gave.

She had also telephoned to Anthony. She wanted to see him. To tell him
that she would marry him as soon as he wished. That would be the
solution. Then Justin would understand, and would forgive her.

She felt that more than anything in the whole wide world she wanted
Justin's forgiveness.

Anthony had come, and they had gone into the library where she had
talked with Justin, and Anthony, preoccupied and silent, had placed a
chair for her, and had stood where Justin had stood. And she had
shivered and had begged, "Sit down where I can see you."

He had taken the chair opposite her, and suddenly she had surprised
herself and him by coming over to him, and slipping to her knees beside
his chair, and sobbing with her face hidden.

He had lifted her in his arms, and had soothed her like a child. "What
is it, dear heart?" he had demanded.

And, like a child, she had answered:

"Oh, please, let's get married right away----"

She had explained haltingly that she had been lonely since Diana went
away, and unhappy. She--she missed her mother--and Diana's house wasn't
her home. Sophie was dear, but, oh, it would be much better to be
married as soon as she could get ready.

"And how soon will that be?" gravely.

"In a month. I think everybody should be told now."

He agreed. "Perhaps it should have been announced at once, but Diana
seemed to think that it was best to wait."

"Diana doesn't know--everything."

"No, but she is wise in many things."

"Anthony?"

"Yes?"

"When we are--married, will you and Diana be just as good friends?"

"I hope that we may----"

Something in his tone had made her look up and say quickly, "Oh, I
_want_ you to be friends. You didn't think that I was jealous--of
_Diana_?"

He had thought she might be. If she knew the truth she would surely have
a right to be. But she did not know the truth.

"Why did you ask?" he probed.

"Because," feverishly, "it doesn't seem right, does it, that just
because a man and a woman are married they should never have any men or
women friends? There's Bobbie, for example--and--and Justin--I shan't
have to be just your wife, shall I? I can have them for friends?"

"Of course." Yet even as he said