, "to be a woman."

It was the anxiety in Charrington's eyes that arrested Lady Ruthven's
attention and made her bring the dinner somewhat abruptly to a close.

"Oh, Lady Ruthven, must we go?" cried Iola, as her hostess made a move
to rise. "What a delightful dinner we have had! Now you are not going
to send me away just yet. 'After dinner sit a while,' you know, and I
believe I feel like singing to-night."

"My dear, my dear," said Lady Ruthven, "do you think you should exert
yourself any more? You have had an exciting day. What does your doctor
say?"

"Barney?"

"Barney, indeed!" echoed Jack indignantly. "Oh, the ingratitude of the
female heart! Here for all these weeks I have--"

"Forgive me, Jack. I am quite sure you won't be hard-hearted enough to
banish me."

"An hour on the library couch, whence one can look upon the sea, in an
atmosphere of restful quiet, listening to cheerful but not too exciting
conversation," said Jack gravely.

"And music, Doctor?" inquired Iola, with mock humility.

"Well, I'll sing a little myself," replied Jack.

"Oh, my dear Iola," cried Miss Ruthven, "hasten to bed, I beg of
you, and save us all. And yet, do you know, I rather like to hear
Dr. Charrington sing. It makes me think of our automobile tour in the
Highlands last year," she continued with mischievous gravity.

"Ah," said Jack, much flattered, "I don't quite--"

"Oh, the horn, you know."

"Wretch! Now I refuse outright to sing."

"Really? And after we had prepared ourselves for the--ah--experience."

"How do you feel now, Iola?" said Jack, quietly placing his fingers upon
her pulse.

"Perfectly strong, I assure you. Listen." And she ran up her chromatics
in a voice rich and strong and clear.

"Well, this is most wonderful!" exclaimed Jack. "Her pulse is strong,
even, steady. Her respiration is normal."

"I told you!" cried Iola triumphantly. "Now you will let me sing--not
a big song, but just that wee Scotch thing I learned from old Jennie.
Barney's mother used to sing it."

"My dear Iola," entreated Lady Ruthven, "do you think you should
venture? Do you think she should, Dr. Boyle?"

"Don't ask me," said Barney. "I should forbid it were it anyone else."

"But it isn't anyone else," persisted Iola, "and my doctor says yes.
I'll only hum, Jack."

"Well, one only. And mind, no fugues, arpeggios, double-stoppings, and
such frills."

She took her guitar. "I'll sing this for Barney's dear mother," she