Anthony did not turn as the step he had been watching for sounded upon the porch. To save his life he could not help keeping his eyes upon Rachel's face. Rachel herself looked up with the air of the visitor who does not know the guests of the house, and the expression Anthony saw upon her face showed only the slightest possible surprise--certainly no other feeling. Juliet rose. "Ah, Mr. Lockwood," she said, with a cordiality, sincere little person though she was, Anthony knew for once she did not feel. "In the dusk I couldn't be quite sure." Lockwood's eyes instantly turned to Rachel. That he had known in some way whom he was to see was evident from a most unusual agitation in his manner. "Mrs.--Huntington," he got out somehow, taking her hand, and staring eagerly down into her face, "I heard you were home, and I hoped to find you here. I--you are--I am extremely glad----" * * * * * Half an hour later Anthony came upon his wife in the darkness of the dining-room. "Oh, you shouldn't have left them when I was away," she said. "Little Tony cried out and I had to go. I know Rachel doesn't want to be left with him to-night." "Angels and chaperons defend us," muttered Anthony. "I can't stand it forever to feel a man wanting to kill me for staying by him through a meeting like this, after three years. I didn't know but Lockwood would attempt to throw me off my own porch. Give him a chance--he hasn't any, anyhow." "It's after nine," whispered Juliet. "I know it. Roger's taking a terrible risk." "He doesn't know she's here. But I thought he cared enough for us to----" "That's what I've been so sure of. He's probably been detained by some case. He's getting so distinguished, the minute he sets foot in town now the folks with things the matter with them begin to block his path. I hope she knows what she throws over her shoulder if she refuses him now." "I don't see that she's going to have a chance to refuse him," mourned Juliet. "Do you think he'd ever forgive us if we let him get away without knowing she was here?" "Lockwood found it out, somehow. Carey's safe to tell him if he sees him--and he's pretty sure to, at Roger's club." "You couldn't telephone?" "Where? If he can he'll come here, if only to get news of her. She's never let him write to her, has she?" "He told me she hadn't when he was here last fall. And she didn't know where he was." "Fellow-conspirator," whispered Anthony, "we'll give fate her chance to-night. If she bungles the game we'll take it into our own hands to-morrow. But I've a feeling I'd like to let it happen by itself, if it will." When Lockwood had gone--which was not until eleven o'clock, in spite of the way his hosts remained in his vicinity--Rachel stood still upon the porch smiling a little wearily at Juliet. "My staying all night has been settled for me," she said. "There was no way to go."