ed to
another woman, as with firm touch she played the first chords of the
rippling melody.

And Bettina danced.

Justin, watching her, thought of lilacs blown by light breezes, of
clouds on a May morning, of the drift of white petals from blossoming
trees. Was she a woman or a wraith, this slender thing swaying in the
candle-light?

Anthony watched, too, leaning back, tired, in his chair.

Diana watched, and asked herself, "Can any man resist such youth and
beauty?"

And Sophie watched, and said to herself, out of the pity of her great
and loving heart, "She is such a child--and things are going to be hard
for her."

When Bettina finished, she went straight back to Anthony. "Did you like
it?" she demanded.

But his answer was lost in the applause which forced her to face the
rest of them, and explain:

"Dad taught me. He loved beauty, and he felt that the dance was beauty
in motion."

"Sit here by me," urged Justin, in a wheedling tone, and placed a chair
for her.

Bettina yearned wistfully for her corner and Anthony, but Sara was there
now, and her light hard laugh floated out to them.

"I think I'm tired," said Bettina, as she dropped into the chair, and
Justin, the much sought after Justin, looked at her with chagrin.

"Are you tired of me?" he asked in an injured voice.

She shook her head. "No--but it's been an exciting day."

Somewhere back in the house the telephone rang, and presently Delia came
out for the doctor. "You're wanted at the Neck, sir," she said; "it's
the old gentleman with the pneumonia."

As Anthony went to answer the call, the other guests said their
farewells.

Justin reproached Bettina. "You haven't been a bit good to me; if I come
again will you talk to me?"

Bettina smiled. "I'll let you talk to me."

"When?"

She turned to Sophie. "When shall I let him come?"

"He'll see you to-morrow on Bobbie's boat," said Sophie; "he wants us
for lunch----"

"Till to-morrow, then," said Justin, and bent over her hand; then he ran
down the porch steps to Sara, who was waiting with her head held high.

When Anthony came back from the telephone Bettina said, mournfully, "Now
you must go, and I haven't talked to you for a single minute."

He looked down into the wistful face, and hesitated, then he asked,
"Would you like to ride with me over to the Neck? It won't take long,
but you'd have time to tell me all about your beautiful day."

She was radiant at once.

"Of course