"No, she is far from here. But I had entirely forgotten, for the moment, that she passed this way not so long ago. In the town below there, she lingered a day or two on her way to France." "Is she in France?" "Yes, for the summer;--and for rest." "What part of France?" "Ah, that, Countess, I must not tell." "But I am one of her oldest friends! Am I not even to correspond with her?" "Well, you know her one object in going there is for absolute rest, not even writing letters. I see you are hurt, dear lady, and I understand your feelings, but I am sworn to secrecy." The lady stiffened, and settled back in the carriage. "Hurt! I should say so. And why not, pray?" Dr. Cervini seemed to reflect a moment. "Well, Countess, will you give me your solemn word of honor to guard the secret if I tell you?" "I promise." "Do you happen to know the town of Tarbes?" "No." "Have you ever been to Foix?" "Never heard of it." "Well, she has rented a little villa somewhere between those places, but back in the mountains." "What mountains?" "The Pyrenees." "God protect us! Is she there?" "She is. Her doctors and her family all insisted upon her having a six months' rest. And she needs it." "Provoking! Most annoying! And here I have had a long drive beneath a broiling sun--and all for nothing." Dr. Cervini waved a solemn finger. "Don't forget your promise." "Yes, I will remember. But, the young American doctor who struck--and then killed a captain. Where is he?" "In his own country." "In America?" "Even so." "Shameful! Shameful!" "Why shameful, Countess?" "Because I hoped they were together--as they should be. It's too delicious a romance for the lovers to spoil by parting." "Lovers! She hardly knew him. If a favorite prima donna were to adopt every man who fell in love with her she would have no time for music. Heavens! What a regiment of followers!" "Nevertheless," said the lady, in a more serious manner, "I blush for the Diva." "Why blush?" "I always blush for virtue." * * * * * As the carriage, with the Countess, escorted by the Breath of Scandal, disappeared around a curve in the road, Dr. Cervini removed his hat, looked heavenward and murmured: "Angels of mercy, forgive a liar." But the lie did well. Never again came the Breath of Scandal so near the Diva. The lovers' secret remained a secret. Even her father, the famous scientist with the drowsy eyes, died twenty years later not knowing that he had a grandchild. [Illustration] II HOW THE ACQUAINTANCE BEGAN Seven years have passed. Under the arching elms in a Massachusetts village, one Sunday morning in July, various persons were moving toward a house of worship. The house of worship was white, with a portico of Ionic columns. Among the branches of the elms a noisy congregation of non-sectarian birds seemed to be laughing at the Orthodox bells.