"Oh, I didn't realise I was late, dear," she said, while Anthony swung his little son up to his shoulder, eliciting triumphant shouts as a reward. "Tony, Rachel is here." "_Rachel?_" "Hush--yes; she's upstairs, and her window is open. Walk down the orchard with me and I'll tell you. Her coming, an hour ago, was what made me forget the time." "Carey was talking about her this afternoon," said Anthony, strolling by her side and carrying on a frolic with the boy at the same time. "He'd just heard a singular thing--that she wasn't married to Huntington till the very night he died." "She told me. She's going away to-night, she insists; but I shall not let her. No, Mr. Huntington wouldn't let her marry him. After they went away he said he wouldn't take her unless he got well. Tony, he was a fine character; in our sympathy for Roger Barnes we haven't appreciated him. It was only at the last that he let her do it. She found out how happy it would make him then, and she would have it so." "I'm glad she did--poor fellow. Juliet, Roger Barnes is in town." "Really?" Juliet stopped, her breath catching. "Oh, Tony----" "Came day before yesterday--leaves to-morrow night for Hongkong." "Tony!" Anthony looked down at her, smiling. "There's a situation for you. Can you be expected to keep your friendly hands off that possibility?" "He won't go away without coming to see us?" "Most certainly not." "Then he will naturally come to-night." "It's more than probable." "Tony, I won't be trying to manage fate--that's what the doctor calls it--if I keep Rachel here until after----" "Until after the Overland Limited leaves for San Francisco? Well, fate needs a little assistance once in a while. I think you may legitimately persuade Rachel to stay, if you can. What is her hurry, anyway?" "I can't find out, except that I imagine she's afraid of meeting one of the men she most assuredly would meet if they knew she had come. She thinks Roger Barnes is in Vienna still." "She does? Ye gods! I think my knees will begin to tremble if I see their meeting imminent. Come, son, let's try a race to the house. I'll give you to the big, crooked apple tree. One--two--three--go!" Juliet followed more slowly, thinking busily. Rachel had been very decided about going back into the city that night. Mrs. Huntington, Senior, was with friends, who had begged her daughter's acceptance of their hospitality, and for the elder woman's sake she had acquiesced. Rachel was a keeper of promises, Juliet knew. And to tell her of the probability of the doctor's appearance would be a doubtful means of securing her detention. But if, for any reason, the doctor should fail to appear--Juliet made up her mind that she would give fate her chance until nine o'clock that night. If by that time Barnes had not come---- * * * * *