Lester thought of her coming with mingled feelings of pleasure and uncertainty. She would be entertaining largely, of course. Would she foolishly begin by attempting to invite him and Jennie? Surely not. She must know the truth by this time. Her letter indicated as much. She spoke of seeing a lot of him. That meant that Jennie would have to be eliminated. He would have to make a clean breast of the whole affair to Letty. Then she could do as she pleased about their future intimacy. Seated in Letty’s comfortable boudoir one afternoon, facing a vision of loveliness in pale yellow, he decided that he might as well have it out with her. She would understand. Just at this time he was beginning to doubt the outcome of the real estate deal, and consequently he was feeling a little blue, and, as a concomitant, a little confidential. He could not as yet talk to Jennie about his troubles. “You know, Lester,” said Letty, by way of helping him to his confession—the maid had brought tea for her and some brandy and soda for him, and departed—“that I have been hearing a lot of things about you since I’ve been back in this country. Aren’t you going to tell me all about yourself? You know I have your real interests at heart.” “What have you been hearing, Letty?” he asked, quietly. “Oh, about your father’s will for one thing, and the fact that you’re out of the company, and some gossip about Mrs. Kane which doesn’t interest me very much. You know what I mean. Aren’t you going to straighten things out, so that you can have what rightfully belongs to you? It seems to me such a great sacrifice, Lester, unless, of course, you are very much in love. Are you?” she asked archly. Lester paused and deliberated before replying. “I really don’t know how to answer that last question, Letty,” he said. “Sometimes I think that I love her; sometimes I wonder whether I do or not. I’m going to be perfectly frank with you. I was never in such a curious position in my life before. You like me so much, and I—well, I don’t say what I think of you,” he smiled. “But anyhow, I can talk to you frankly. I’m not married.” “I thought as much,” she said, as he paused. “And I’m not married because I have never been able to make up my mind just what to do about it. When I first met Jennie I thought her the most entrancing girl I had ever laid eyes on.” “That speaks volumes for my charms at that time,” interrupted his _vis-a-vis._ “Don’t interrupt me if you want to hear this,” he smiled. “Tell me one thing,” she questioned, “and then I won’t. Was that in Cleveland?” “Yes.” “So I heard,” she assented. “There was something about her so—” “Love at first sight,” again interpolated Letty foolishly. Her heart was hurting her. “I know.” “Are you going to let me tell this?” “Pardon me, Lester. I can’t help a twinge or two.”