As soon as she entered the room, Mrs. Wentworth saw that something serious had occurred, and in reply to her question Lois sat down and quietly told the story of having met Mr. Wickersham and of his attempting to kiss her, though she did not repeat what Wickersham had said to her. To her surprise, Mrs. Wentworth burst out laughing. "On my word, you were so tragic when you came in that I feared something terrible had occurred. Why, you silly creature, do you suppose that Ferdy meant anything by what he did?" "He meant to insult me--and you," said Lois, with a lift of her head and a flash in her eye. "Nonsense! He has probably kissed a hundred girls, and will kiss a hundred more if they give him the chance to do so." "I gave him no chance," said Lois, sitting very straight and stiff, and with a proud dignity which the other might well have heeded. "Now, don't be silly," said Mrs. Wentworth, with a little hauteur. "Why did you walk in a secluded part of the Park with him?" "I thought I could help a friend of mine," said Lois. "Mr. Keith, I suppose!" "No; _not_ Mr. Keith." "A woman, perhaps?" "Yes; a woman." She spoke with a hauteur which Mrs. Wentworth had never seen in her. "Cousin Louise," she said suddenly, after a moment's reflection, "I think I ought to say to you that I will never speak to Mr. Wickersham again." The color rushed to Mrs. Wentworth's face, and her eyes gave a flash. "You will never do what?" she demanded coldly, looking at her with lifted head. "I will never meet Mr. Wickersham again." "You appear to have met him once too often already. I think you do not know what you are saying or whom you are speaking to." "I do perfectly," said Lois, looking her full in the eyes. "I think you had better go to your room," said Mrs. Wentworth, angrily. The color rose to Lois's face, and her eyes were sparkling. Then the color ebbed back again as she restrained herself. "You mean you wish me to go?" Her voice was calm. "I do. You have evidently forgotten your place." "I will go home," she said. She walked slowly to the door. As she reached it she turned and faced Mrs. Wentworth. "I wish to thank you for all your kindness to me; for you have been very kind to me at times, and I wish--" Her voice broke a little, but she recovered herself, and walking back to Mrs. Wentworth, held out her hand. "Good-by." Mrs. Wentworth, without rising, shook hands with her coldly. "Good-by." Lois turned and walked slowly from the room. As soon as she had closed the door she rushed up-stairs, and, locking herself in, threw herself on the bed and burst out crying. The strain had been too great, and the bent bow at last snapped. An hour or two later there was a knock on her door. Lois opened it, and Mrs. Wentworth entered. She appeared rather surprised to find Lois packing her trunk. "Are you really going away?" she asked. "Yes, Cousin Louise."