smile wreathed her lips as she prepared to retire, but she could
not sleep after she was in bed, even though she was weak and exhausted
from the excitement of the last few hours, for her nerves throbbed and
tingled with every beat of her pulses, and it was not until near morning
that slumber came to her relief.

She was awake long before the gong for breakfast sounded, however,
and rising immediately dressed herself for traveling, after which she
finished packing, and then went down to breakfast with a grave, resolute
face, which betrayed that she had some fixed purpose in her mind.

Mrs. Montague regarded her with some surprise as she noticed her dress,
but she made no remark, although she looked troubled and anxious.

As soon as they arose from the table Mona went directly up stairs again,
and waited at the door of Mrs. Montague's parlor until that lady made her
appearance.

Louis was with her, but Mona ignored his presence, and quietly asked:

"Can I see you alone for a few moments, Mrs. Montague?"

"Certainly," she replied, giving the girl a sharp, curious glance, and
immediately preceded her into the room. "Well?" she inquired, turning and
facing her, the moment the door was closed, as if already she suspected
what was coming.

"I simply wanted to tell you that I am going to return to New York
to-day," Mona said, in a tone which plainly indicated that no argument
would serve to change her determination.

"Aren't you somewhat premature in your movements? What is your reason for
wanting to go home in such a hurry?" Mrs. Montague demanded, with
some asperity.

"There are a number of reasons. I have some business to attend to, for
one thing," Mona answered.

Mrs. Montague appeared startled by this unlooked-for reply. She had
expected that she would complain of Louis' persecution of the previous
evening.

"Do you think it just fair, Ruth, to leave me at such short notice?" she
inquired, after thinking a moment.

"I am very sorry if my going will annoy you," Mona said, "but you will
have Mr. Hamblin for an escort, and so you will not be left alone. I have
made up my mind to go, and I would like to leave at as early an hour as
possible."

Mrs. Montague saw that it would be useless to oppose her, but a look of
cunning leaped into her eyes as she returned, with an assumption of
graceful compliance:

"Then we will all go. A few days will not matter much with me; I have
been disappointed in almost everything