"My dear," Lady Kerhill began, as she entered the room and embraced Diana, "we are going to ask you for our tea at once if you will take pity on us. Such an afternoon! We were obliged to turn back from Ranelagh because of the storm. Fortunately we had a closed carriage, but Mabel and I were so anxious to know whether you and Henry had started before the shower sprang up"—with a quick look of surprise about the room, she exclaimed, "Why, where is Henry?" Diana rang the bell for tea. "I had a note from Henry, dear Lady Elizabeth, saying he was detained by some unexpected business." Sir Charles noticed with great satisfaction Diana’s superb control. Her rebellious mood, as he surmised, had been a mere whim. For a moment a half-frightened look came into Lady Elizabeth’s eyes. She was never quite sure of Henry, but even to herself she never admitted it. She had cast him for a role that he neither suggested nor attempted to play, but she never flinched before the duty of wilfully blinding herself to these truths. Her love and her belief would win, and out of it all would be created the son she so desired Henry to be—that was her unconscious prayer. She threw off the moment’s anxiety. "No doubt it is a busy week for Henry," she said. She crossed to a chair near the fire, and with the announcement of tea began to gossip with Sir Charles. Mabel moved close to Diana’s side at the tea-table. She had grown into a fairy-like creature, with exquisite, youthful coloring. Very shy and utterly subordinate to her mother and brother, she lavished upon Diana a great affection in return for her sympathy. She stole shy glances at Diana’s unusual color, as the latter poured the tea mechanically, but joined little in the conversation. Diana caught Mabel’s eyes wonderingly fastened upon her. She could no longer endure the close room. "I must get a breath of air. Can Mabel go with me?" she said, as she rose from her untouched tea. Sir Charles was explaining to Lady Elizabeth some details of the previous night’s rowdy conduct at the House. They both paused for a moment. "Do take a turn with Mabel in the park," said Sir Charles. "It will refresh you." "Remember we are due at the opera to-night," Lady Elizabeth said, as she rose. Sir Charles protested. "But it’s just why I’m going myself," Lady Elizabeth confessed. "I’ll send the carriage back for Mabel."