She thought back to another time when she had wanted to die, and dear Mrs. Benjamin had comforted her. If only she were here now she would understand, and help her to face her disgrace. What was she to do? How could she live it down? She must hide somewhere. Maybe she ought to disappear in the morning, before her parents were awake. That would let her out of the much-dreaded interview with them. So with this idea in her mind, she fell into troubled sleep, at dawn. When she woke, it was to broad daylight, and the presence of her father and mother. "Oh!" sighed Isabelle, as her eyes fell on them. "You've been asleep all day," said her mother. "We thought maybe you'd taken something." "Taken something?" "Drug, or something." "Is it late?" "Four o'clock in the afternoon." "Oh, and I intended to get away early this morning." "Get away where?" inquired Wally. "Anywhere out of sight"--desperately. He sat on the edge of her bed. "Look here, kid, just what did happen?" "You'll never understand, and I'm not going to talk about it," she said, sullenly. "You needn't take that tone," said her mother, sharply. "You've made an utter fool of yourself, and of us, too." "Now, Max, let her alone to-day," Wally protested. "It's always 'Let her do it her own way,' with you. You backed her up in this foolishness. We've had all the publicity I intend to have through Isabelle. She will go back to school, and stay in retirement, until we are ready to bring her out," said Mrs. Bryce, firmly. "All I say is that to-morrow is soon enough to take it up with her. The kid's had a bad fall, and she needs to get together." "Yes, she has! She comes home and goes to sleep for sixteen hours, while we read the newspapers." "Newspapers?" "Column after column of what you did to Cartel's opening. If he doesn't sue Wally for a fat sum, I miss my guess." "What did they say?" "You can read them for yourself. I intend that you shall. If there is any way to cure your conceit, I'd like to see it done," Mrs. Bryce continued. "Plenty of time later," urged Wally, distressed at his daughter's white, tragic face. "Did Cartel say anything to you last night?" Isabelle nodded. "Dismissed you?" Again she inclined her head. "I should hope so," laughed Max, shortly. "Paper says he has gone to Atlantic City with a nervous collapse." "And the play?" Isabelle said. "Closed. That's what you did. Must have endeared yourself to the company." With a groan, Isabelle turned her face to the wall, and Wally dragged Max out of the room. Later Miss Watts came in to offer tea. The girl refused it, but she begged her companion to bring her all the morning papers. "Wait until to-morrow, my dear," Miss Watts begged, alarmed at the change in her. "No. I want to get it over." So the papers were brought.