"It is one of Diana's favorites," said Anthony. But Bettina said never a word. And just then a boy came to say that Dr. Blake was wanted at the telephone. "It's a hurry call," Anthony came back to tell them. "Would you mind walking home with Bettina, Justin?" Would he mind? Suddenly all the stars sang! The moment that Anthony's back was turned Bettina felt a frantic desire to hide her rings. What would Justin say when he saw them? With Anthony there she had felt brave. But now--she turned the rings inward and began hastily to put on her gloves. Oh, to-night, after she reached home, she would write Justin a prim little note and tell him of her engagement! That would be better, of course! She should have thought of it before! Crashing across her trembling decision came Justin's demand. "Look here. Why can't you fly with me now? Just a little way, low over the harbor? Come----" It seemed to her that between them was beating and throbbing darkness, out of which his eager eyes said, "Come." "Oh, no," she protested, with dry lips. "Anthony wouldn't like it." "What has Anthony to do with it?" He had taken her hands in his and was crushing them. The rings cut and hurt, but she made no sign; she only looked at him large-eyed, and said, not knowing what she said, "He has nothing to do with it----" "Then come----" She was conscious that he was taking the pins out of her big hat. That he was winding her white chiffon veil, nun-like, about her head, so that her face was framed. And within this frame glowed her hot cheeks and questioning eyes. "Come," he said, again, and lifted her to her seat and fastened her in, and took his place beside her. He whistled, and two men came, and the buoyant ship slid down the track toward the water; the big propeller waved for a moment its octopus arms, then started with a mighty roar. For a moment they swam the surface, then, light as a bird, the "Gray Gull" soared. Up and up, with the white yachts in the harbor just beneath them, with the gold of the sunshine surrounding them; and out of it his face bending down to her. "Are you afraid?" he asked, as he had asked in the storm. And she, with her cheeks still burning hot, looked up at him and laughed. "Afraid--with you? Oh, Justin, Justin, I could fly like this--forever." CHAPTER XVI VOICES IN THE DARK Captain Stubbs' cottage was one of the show places of the town. Built before the Revolution, it was of typical English rural architecture--one-storied, with a square chimney, and with a garden which made it the delight of artists who came from far and near to paint it; in the spring crocuses starred the borders, violets studded the lawn with amethyst, pale irises and daffodils, narcissus and jonquils stood in slim beauty. Later came sweet peas, and the roses followed, hiding with their beauty the weather-beaten boards. The late summer brought nasturtiums in all their richness of orange and bronze-brown, and in the fall, the dahlias blazed.