He felt much in the mood for a meeting with a heathen goddess, and entered the forest accordingly. But he found nothing nearer Diana than Miss Morse and her friend, who were sitting reading with two young men. The path seemed to vanish where they sat, and Vane made hold to stop and ask one of the young men the way. They were slow of speech, and Miss Morse herself replied. She assured him that he was at his destination, and Vane found himself, in a moment, in conversation with her. Diana's Baths were formed by a small brook trickling over some mossy rocks and making a few pools in which Diana might possibly have wet her feet. Vane made this suggestion, which was received with much laughter, at the end of which he found himself on such a footing of intimacy that he was being introduced to Miss Morse's companions: "Miss Westerhouse, may I introduce Mr.---- Mr.----" "Vane," suggested he. "Mr. Vane, of New York, Miss Morse. Miss Westerhouse, Mr. Vane. Mr. Vane, Mr. Thomson and Mr. Dibble." The young men nodded rather awkwardly. Miss Westerhouse made a place on the rock beside her, and Vane sat down wondering how the situation would be explained, and who had told her that he came from New York. "I met you yesterday on your arrival, did I not?" Miss Morse went on. Vane admitted that she had, and remembered the scene with the hotel clerk. "Coming from New York, I fear you will find Cinerea Lake rather dull. We are after the season, you know." He hastened to assure her that he had found the place most attractive. "It is getting to be rather too well known now, but it is pretty, though not so nice as it was. You meet all sorts of people here already." Vane felt duly instructed as to the social position of his companions, and assented, with much honesty, to her last statement. "It is not very gay here, now. We have a hop twice a week." "That will be delightful," said Vane with enthusiasm. "Do you reside in New York?" Miss Westerhouse broke in. "As much as I do anywhere," said Vane. "I have to travel a great deal." Vane noticed a sudden lack of interest in him after this remark, and fancied that they set him down for a commercial traveler. "I have only lived in New York of late years, and then only when I am not----on the road," he added, as the humorous view of the situation struck him. A silence followed this remark, and a certain coldness; but Vane, who had a particularly comfortable place, leaning back on a mossy rock, made no motion to go. Finally Miss Westerhouse made an effort. "Then you are not much acquainted in New York." "I have a good many business acquaintances." "Oh, I mean your lady friends." "I have none," said Vane. "Some very pleasant New Yorkers have been here," said Miss Morse, "but they only stayed a few days. Mrs. Haviland and Miss Thomas----" Vane could not repress a slight movement. "Do you know them?" said the young lady with some interest. "Miss Winifred Thomas?" "This was Miss Baby----"