th
of a woman's perfect sympathy.

And he knew that into his keeping had been given the secret of that
woman's existence. The five years' mystery was solved at last. He
understood, and, understanding, he kept silent faith with her.

III

It was two hours later that Carey presented himself at his cousin's
house. He entered unobtrusively, as his manner was, knowing himself to
be a welcome guest.

The first person to greet him was Gwen, who, accompanied by a college
youth of twenty, was roasting chestnuts in front of the hall fire. She
sprang up at the sound of his voice, and, flushed and eager, rushed to
meet him.

"Why, Reggie, my dear old boy, who would have thought of seeing you
to-night? Come right in! Aren't you very cold? How did you get here?
Have you dined? This is Charlie Rivers, the Admiral's son. Charlie, you
have heard me speak of my cousin, Mr. Carey."

Charlie had, several times over, and said so, with a grin, as he made
room for Carey in front of the blaze, taking care to keep himself next
to Gwen.

Carey considerately fell in with the manoeuvre and, greetings over, they
huddled sociably together over the fire, and fell to discussing the
birthday party which was to be held on the morrow.

Gwen was a curious blend of excitement and common sense. She had been
busily preparing all day for the coming festivity.

"There's one visitor I want you both to be very good to," she said, "and
see that she takes plenty of refreshments, whether she wants them or
not."

Young Rivers grimaced at Carey.

"You can have my share of this unattractive female," he said generously.
"It's Gwen's schoolmistress, and I'll bet she's as heavy as a sack of
coals."

"I can't dance. I'm lame," said Carey. "But I don't mind sitting out in
the refreshment room to please Gwen. How old is she, Gwen? About twice
my age?"

Gwen did not stop to calculate.

"Older than that, I should think. Her hair is quite grey, and she's very
sad and quiet. I am sure she has had a lot of trouble. Very likely she
won't want to dance either, so there will be a pair of you. Her name is
_Mademoiselle_ Treves, but she is only half French, and speaks English
better than I do. She never goes anywhere, so I do want her to have a
good time. You will be kind to her, won't you? I'll introduce you to her
as early as possible. We are all going to wear masks till midnight."

"Stupid things--masks," said Charlie very decidedly. "Don't like 'em."

Gwe