"Stop, you have said enough. If I had met you a year ago, perhaps things might have been different, although I doubt it, for I've loved Alexis ever since I was old enough to know what love meant. Now that he is my husband, I never could live with another man. It would be shameful. I never could hold my head up again. But please say you understand?" Sudden pallor upon his square young face, he walked over to the open window. "I believe I am beginning to," he said huskily. "I didn't realize that women like you still existed. I--I am defeated. If you wish, I will not come here again." "Oh, oh," Claire gazed after him wanly. "I was afraid you would say that! Why, you're the only real friend I have. If you desert me, I don't know what I shall do. Won't you please forgive me?" He hesitated a moment. His averted face worked oddly. Then he turned and walked back to the bed. "What are you talking about?" The warm voice was a trifle unsteady. "Of course, I forgive you. We'll never mention the subject again. I want you to consult me just as if this had never happened. Promise?" He held out his hand and she laid hers in it thankfully. Once more the tears were very close. "Of course, I promise. What could I do without you?" "That's right." He cleared his throat. "Now lie down again. I want you to stay in bed for a day or two, until your nerves get rested. I'll send you around a nurse. A nice, fat, little girl who will cheer you up. You need companionship. This colossal brute," he stooped quickly and picked up the diminutive Griffon from out his basket, "is not particularly diverting, except to look at." He met Claire's clouded eyes with a smile, and bag in hand, started for the door. "So long, until to-morrow. Don't you dare be gloomy!" As he reached the large square entrance hall, the front door opened and admitted Mme. Petrovskey. Swathed in sealskin, wreathed with smiles, a coquettish hippopotamus, she approached him. "Oh, Dr. Elliott, you here? How charming! But perhaps I shouldn't be pleased? Is my dear daughter ill again? Or is this merely the sad return from one of your delightful little jaunts?" He bowed awkwardly over the fat, white hand. "Unfortunately, this visit is purely professional. Mrs. Petrovskey was taken ill quite unexpectedly, and Ito had the presence of mind to call me up." She simpered. "Dear Ito. He's quite invaluable, isn't he? Poor Claire, so she is ill again? Quite a tissue-paper little person, I'm afraid. What is the matter this time?" "She must have been over-tired when she came in. She fainted and was unconscious for at least half an hour. I have told her to remain in bed for several days and I'm sending a nurse. Not that I think it's serious," he added hastily. Claire wouldn't want her mother-in-law to suspect anything. "But she needs a rest." "Another fainting fit? Surely, there must be something seriously wrong? Are you keeping anything from me?"