The ivory clock upon the mantel chanted five mellow notes. Anne started up from her chair. It was the hour for the daily visit to Alexis. CHAPTER XVI IRREVOCABLE Heart thudding against her ribs, Claire advanced into the room. Ever since she had received Alexis' letter asking her to come and see him she had lived for this moment alone. And yet, now that it was upon her, she was conscious only of a cold dread, a dreary fear. Her last glimpse of Alexis had been in the clutches of delirium. He had then been calling frantically upon the name of another woman. Much water had passed beneath the bridges since, congealed, stagnant water, bitter as the unshed tears lying so heavily upon her heart. She advanced timidly into the room and Alexis rose to greet her. A wine-colored lounging robe enhanced his fairness. The smile upon his lips was both pathetic and perfunctory. Taking her proffered hand, he led Claire to a chair. For a moment they gazed at each other self-consciously. "This is good of you, Claire, I know I don't deserve it," he said finally. She smiled sturdily beneath her tears. "You asked me to come, didn't you? That is why I am here. I am glad you are better, Alexis." "Oh, I'm practically well now. I expect to go out again in a few days." She noticed that he ignored the beginning of her sentence and his embarrassment touched her. She looked about the room in search of a topic of conversation. Her absent eyes fell upon several large jars filled with flowers. "What lovely roses, and what masses of them!" she exclaimed impulsively. Then could have bitten out her tongue. Had they perhaps been sent by Mrs. Schuyler? A triumphant gleam swept over his face. He forgot to be self-conscious. "Yes, aren't they wonderful! It's quite like the old days, isn't it? You see, Claire, I--I am discovered!" "You are discovered?" she stammered. He ran a hand through his tumbled hair with the old arrogant gesture. "Yes, my return has leaked out somehow the last few days, and although it hasn't appeared in the papers as yet, the exciting fact seems to have spread rather swiftly." Within her lap Claire's gloved hands tightened upon each other. "Are--are you glad, Alexis?" her voice faltered. He laughed oddly. "Am I human, Claire?" "Yes, yes, I know! But don't you dread having them find out?" He looked at her in angry bewilderment. "Find out what?" Could she be alluding to Anne? "Why, that you have forgotten how to play," she murmured almost in tears. He sprang up and loomed over her with the air of a young god. His hands upon her slight shoulders, he shook her gently. "Ah, but it has come back, Claire. It came back like a flash, just as suddenly as it left me. Listen!" He strode over to the piano, and taking his violin out of the case, fingered it caressingly. "Of course, they won't let me practice yet. And I am all thumbs. But listen!"