"How early you are, John," she exclaimed. "It is awfully sweet of you, but I'm afraid it will be very dull unless you are fond of chess." "You are going out?" questioned John in what seemed to Dr. Crossett as he rose to shake hands with him rather a curt tone. "Yes," replied Lola, "I am afraid I must." "My dear boy, I am very glad to see you," said Dr. Crossett to John, of whom he had really grown very fond in those few days following Lola's accident. "Thank you, Doctor," replied John heartily, as he returned the pressure of the Doctor's hand. "It is very kind of you to say so," and he turned away, perhaps a little hastily, and followed Lola up to the door. "Shall I go with you, Lola?" "Oh, dear, no," replied Lola. "It would bore you dreadfully, and besides I really couldn't have you, even if you care to come. I am in a great hurry. I promised to be there at three. Sit down and watch the game." She took him by the arm and led him back to the table. "Father will need your help, I am afraid. See! He is in trouble already. Here----" She stepped to a small table and returned with a box of cigars. "Why don't you men smoke? Really, you must." She held the box to each of them in turn, smiling so compellingly that even John was forced to take one, but in spite of her smile he thought he saw in her face a trace of anxious impatience, and to him at least her beautiful new dress was not wholly a pleasure. Little as he knew of the real cost of such a costume, he knew that it was far more expensive than Dr. Barnhelm's purse could afford, and in some vague manner it associated itself in his mind with Mrs. Harlan and her friends. "Would you mind telling me where you are going, Lola?" he enquired anxiously. "Oh, dear, no; why should I?" she answered as she struck a match and held it, first to her father's, then to Dr. Crossett's cigar. "I am going to see poor little Nellie Mooney. She isn't at all well, you know, father, and I really haven't the heart to disappoint her. There!" She placed the decanter and glasses on the table near to him. "Do see that they are comfortable, John. You may have just as fine a time as you want to, you selfish male things," she went on as she crossed quickly to the door. "But don't quite forget me while I am gone." She left the room laughing, and as the outside door closed behind her the little clock on the mantel struck three.