"But it's not your room!" shrieked Peaches. "Oh, pa, come help me to get my chaperon out of these strange men's room!" Mr. Pegg was close behind her, and as she spoke I realized that she was quite right. I got up with dignity and left, accompanied by the Peggs, and the next thing I knew somebody was putting ice on my forehead, and it needed it. I opened my eyes, feeling very ill, and there was Peaches, in street clothes. It was broad noon and she had been crying. I felt as though I--as though all of us--had been going through vast experiences of misery for ages and ages. With a tremendous effort I struggled to a sitting posture in the bed, and addressed my charge. "Peaches," I said, "I saw you kissing that young man last night! Now, my dear, though I feel very ill this morning--I think I must have eaten something at Abby's last night that disagreed with me--still, I am well enough to protest at your behavior!" Peaches stared at me for a moment and then burst into unaccountable laughter. "Free!" she said. "I hope we can get you home a fit woman to take up your foreign missions work. We'll have no back talk from you to-day!" And then she suddenly burst into tears, throwing herself on the bed and sobbing hysterically. Now thoroughly alarmed I forgot my own wretchedness and comforted her as best I could. "My dear, my dear!" I said. "Don't take on so! What if you did kiss him? There is no real harm done! You love each other! You can be married soon. You have everything in the world to be happy about!" Slowly Peaches straightened up to her glorious height and dried her eyes on the cold towel from my head. "Free," she sniffed, "Sandy has gone! Gone, do you get that? After our promising to marry each other, after his dating up Pa to talk it over this afternoon, after promising to come and take me to lunch and to buy a ring this noon--gone without a word except this." Dramatically she handed me a note written in a clear firm hand. I read it as well as my throbbing head would allow. "_Dear Alicia_: I regret that I shall be unable to keep my engagement. Unforeseen circumstances have arisen which make me realize I have been living in a fool's paradise. Forgive me and God bless you. "SANDRO DI MONTEVENTI." "His things are gone from his hotel," she said bitterly. "He's not coming back!" "Nonsense!" I said as vigorously as Nature permitted. "Nonsense. No man could have got such a kiss and forgotten it. Once engaged to you, always engaged to you. Peaches--he'll be back this evening." "If he does it'll be in chains!" said Peaches. "You see, he shot a man at the depot--winged him as the train moved out. It was your friend of the black mustache whom you were visiting with last night!" VIII One of the most annoying things which the outbreak of the war of 1914 did was to completely ruin our tour of Europe.