They were standing in an alcove partially screened by a tall palm fromthe crowd which surged up and down through the rooms. He took from hispocket a morocco case, and, opening it, held it towards her. What madethe color flush her cheeks while her eyes fell beneath his gaze? Sheonly saw a little square of lawn and lace, but the name traced acrossone corner was 'Evadne'!

"Did you leave nothing behind you at Hollywood that day?" he askedgently.

"My armkerchief!" she cried. "I missed it before we reachedMarlborough. I must have left it at the gate." But Evadne had left moreclose behind her than she knew.

"I will keep it still," he exclaimed, "with your permission. Will you give itto me?"

"0h, Doctor Randolph!" Isabelle's voice fell shrill upon Evadne'ssilence, "they are calling for you in the other chamber to decide a knottyquestion--something about microbes. I told them I always was sure you wouldknow. Will you come?"

John Randolph put the case quickly inside his pocket and smiled as he turnedaway. He thought he had read consent in her lovely eyes.

After the reception was over Evadne knelt by her window until the starsfaded one by one from the sky. Then she turned away with a happy sigh.When he came to get his answer, she would know.

* * * * *

"Give that to me!" Isabella spoke imperiously to the servant, whom waspassing through the hall with a note inside her hand. From where she stoodshe had recognized the clear handwriting of the prescriptions which thenew physician wrote. Her demon of curiosity overcame her. The tempter wasvery near.