“Please don’t make fun, John. This has all been so terribly tragic. And the girl is so proud! She wouldn’t come to the Harbour this summer for fear of meeting Wayne there and she positively refused to see him in New York.” “But trapped in Pittsburg, she’s going to see him now if you die in the attempt. I’m for it. Do you want me to ask the Sheriff to help? Maybe I’d better get a _ne exeat_ to hold Wayne--he may have changed his mind.” He took her to luncheon and received his instructions humbly. Wayne must be asked to dine with them at Rosedale, and it would be a good plan, she thought, to have him come up to the office to ride out with them in their car. In no other way could she be sure her plans would not miscarry. And Blair made careful note of his orders, which included the menu of a dinner for four which he must perforce telephone to Rosedale. “Wayne’s probably lunching in the general dining room--why not give him a tip now that the adorable one approacheth--he might like a chance to brush up a bit,” he suggested. “You never understand anything, John Blair! You telephone Wayne that you want to see him at your office at five o’clock, and tell him about dining with us at Rosedale, and by the time I bring Jean to the office he will be there....” “Fanny, I wish I had your resourceful mind! So my office is to be the rendezvous. The library is at your disposal, but you might wait till we get them to Rosedale and give them a quiet corner of the veranda; the setting would be more romantic.” “Oh, you stupid! If she sees him first it’s all over! She knows what he wants to say to her and she won’t face it; she believes he’s going to offer himself out of gratitude for what he thinks she’s done for him; it’s all very complicated.” “It’s too deep for me, Fanny. But you will undoubtedly land them. I see Wayne’s finish--I hear the first strains of the organ in dear old Memorial over the way--Wingfield best man, Wayne scared to death--and ‘Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?’” “You may do that yourself, dear, if you are good!” * * * * * The western train was late so that Blair’s ingenuity was severely taxed by the effort to hold Wayne, who was the least bit surprised to find himself summoned to his brother-in-law’s office to discuss Fanny’s investments, which Blair was perfectly competent to manage without help from him. It was half-past five when Mrs. Blair appeared, so demure and indifferent that Blair almost laughed outright. “Oh, Wayne!” she cried, “I think I dropped my handkerchief as I came through the library--would you be so kind----” She herself, admirable woman, closed the door upon them. CHAPTER XLI “MY CITY--OUR CITY” “Jean!” Wayne had taken both her hands and stood smiling down upon her before she grasped the fact of his presence. “I didn’t understand--it isn’t fair--Mrs. Blair said----”