And now for the second time she told the fiction which she had inventedabout her cousin's invitation, with even greater assurance than before,and, moreover, with a little amplification this time. Along with thesecret joy which she found in the telling, she felt her courageincreasing at the same time. Even the possibility of being joined by herbrother-in-law no longer alarmed her. She felt, too, that she had anadvantage over him, because of the way in which he was in the habit ofsidling up to her.

"How long are you thinking of staying in the town, then?" asked hersister-in-law.

"Two or three days; certainly no longer. And in any case, of course, Ishould have had to go on Monday--to the dressmaker."

Richard strummed on the keys, but Elly stood with both arms resting onthe piano, gazing at her aunt with a look almost of terror.

"Whatever is the matter with you?" asked Bertha involuntarily.

"Why do you ask that?" said Elly.