And then, his heart leaping to his throat, Corthell felt her hand, as it lay in his, close for an instant firmly about his fingers.

“I shall expect you Wednesday then?” she repeated.

He crushed her hand in his grip, and suddenly bent and kissed it.

“Good night,” she said, quietly. Jadwin’s step sounded at the doorway.

“Good night,” he whispered, and in another moment was gone.

During these days Laura no longer knew herself. At every hour she changed; her moods came and went with a rapidity that bewildered all those who were around her. At times her gaiety filled the whole of her beautiful house; at times she shut herself in her apartments, denying herself to everyone, and, her head bowed upon her folded arms, wept as though her heart was breaking, without knowing why.