“Yes, and”--the little girl was going on eagerly to suggest that her cousin accompany her, when suddenly Dr. Ballard's eyes seemed looking at her and repeating their protest. She stopped, and ate for a time in silence. Mrs. Forbes paid little attention to what was being said. She moved about perfunctorily, with an air of preoccupation. She had a more serious trouble now than the care and intrusion of the belongings of Lawrence and Harry Evringham, a worry that for days and nights had not ceased to gnaw at her heart, first as a suspicion and afterward as a certainty. When luncheon was over, Eloise in leaving the dining-room, put her arm around Jewel's shoulders, and together they strolled through the hall and out upon the piazza. Mrs. Evringham looked after them. “If only that child weren't a little fanatic and Eloise in such an erratic, wayward state, ready to seize upon anything novel, it would be all very well,” she mused, “for Dr. Ballard seems to find Jewel amusing, and it might be a point of common interest. As it is, if ever I wished any one in Jericho, it's that child.” Jewel, happy in the proximity of her lovely cousin, satisfied herself by a glance that aunt Madge was not following. Eloise looked about over the sunny, verdant landscape. “What a deceitful world,” she said. “It looks so serene and easy to live in. So it was very lovely over at your ravine this morning?” “Oh!” Jewel looked up at her with eager eyes. “Let's go. You haven't been there. It's only a little way. You don't need your hat, cousin Eloise.” Summer was in the air. The girl was amused at the child's enthusiastic tone. “Very well,” she answered. Jewel drew her on with an embracing arm, and they descended the steps and walked down the path. Suddenly the child stopped. “Doesn't it seem unkind to go without Anna Belle!” she exclaimed. “Oh, nonsense,” returned Eloise, smiling. “You're not going way upstairs to get her. We needn't tell her we went. She's been out driving all the morning. I think it's my turn.” The child looked happily up into her cousin's face. “I love to see you laugh, cousin Eloise,” she returned, and they strolled on. The park drives were deserted. The cousins reached the gorge without meeting any one. Leaning upon the slender fence, they gazed down into the green depths, and for a minute listened to the woodland melody. “Isn't it just like your Spring Song?” asked the child at last. “It is sweet and comforting and good,” replied the girl slowly, a far-off look in her eyes. Jewel lifted her shoulders. “Don't you want to get down there, cousin Eloise?” she asked, her eyes sparkling. “Yes,” replied the girl promptly. “Will it hurt your dress?” added Jewel, with a sudden memory of Mrs. Forbes, as she looked over her cousin's immaculate black and white costume. “I guess not,” laughed the girl. “Are you afraid Mrs. Forbes will put me to bed?”