"We turned you out better than that," commented Stillwater, looking her over. Indiana pouted like a child, teased. Thurston emerged from his den as they descended the stairs. Lord Stafford also joined them below in the library. "Thurston," asked Stillwater, taking him aside, "has she broken out yet?" Thurston shook his head, laughing. Stillwater took Indiana in his arms. "Goodbye. God bless you!" Mrs. Bunker kissed her vehemently. "I couldn’t let you go," whispered Mrs. Stillwater. "If I wasn’t sure I’d see you to-night." Indiana sank into a chair as they all left the room, Thurston and Lord Stafford accompanying them to the door. Her thoughts were in a whirl. Her pride had been hurt at the idea her family should think she was not utterly a free agent, and that was one of the main reasons why she had consented to join them that night. Then they brought her old life back so forcibly. If her relatives had suffered in comparison with Thurston’s, her present life now suffered in comparison with the old—its freedom, and lack of obligation. She realized now that she had been truly queen of her own territory. She heard them all laughing and talking below. Gradually their voices died away, the voices of her old life. She felt a sense of loneliness. It was early spring, when Jennings made it a rule to light the candles later. Everything in the room had faded into the growing dusk. The old objects so easily blended with a waning light. Indiana heard Thurston laughing heartily with Lord Stafford, as they ascended the stairs. "All in the dark, sweetheart!" He touched the electric button of the lamp on the table, revealing Indiana, buried in one of the big chairs, gazing dismally before her. The smile died on his face. "Oh, go on! Don’t mind me!" exclaimed Indiana. "Laugh at them! Ridicule them! Tell me you don’t want them to darken your doors again. I’m ready for anything." "Indiana!" exclaimed Thurston, justly hurt at this unreasonable outburst. "How can you? I wasn’t laughing in that way. I find your people very witty and amusing. As for separating you from them, I hope we shall see as much of them as we possibly can. Grandma Chazy is a new creation for us. We simply revel in her. She’ll make a sensation wherever she goes. I shouldn’t wonder if she would marry well and settle down in England. There now, the storm’s over." He smoothed the hair back from her forehead with a soothing touch. "Poor little thing, she’s had a shock. I hate surprises myself. Lie down for an hour and rest. Come," lifting her up from the chair, "I’ll put you on the sofa." "No, no!" protested Indiana, "there’s no time. I—I have promised to go out." He looked at her in astonishment. "The folks wouldn’t take ’no’ for an answer," affecting not to notice his surprise, "and naturally, they want me with them as much as possible."