I recognized the fine work of our astute friend in the story told by Masters, and anxious to know just how far Masters was committed to Neaera, I asked: "When do you expect to be married?" Masters lowered his voice as he answered: "Confidentially, we are already married. I found her wandering aimlessly about the street expecting arrest; so I took her at once to Washington and married her there. I have left her among friends in a neighboring state till this matter blows over." The marriage having taken place, there was clearly no duty upon me to enlighten Masters, so I said to him: "Assure Neaera from me that I shall keep you informed of how matters move and particularly if any witness testifies in a manner to compromise her. No such testimony has been given as yet to my knowledge--but then, none of the survivors of the rescue party have yet been examined." I worded my answer in a manner to reassure Neaera so far as I myself was concerned and Masters left me satisfied. _He_ deserved sympathy, at any rate. Ariston was extremely busy endeavoring to obtain affidavits from the survivors as to Chairo's non-complicity in the attack, and asked me therefore to see Lydia and explain to her the importance of silence at this juncture. Accordingly I went to see her and found Aunt Tiny in a state of great excitement. Lydia was ill and her mother was with her. Aunt Tiny wanted to take the whole matter on her shoulders. "Lydia will do just what I tell her to do," assured Aunt Tiny, nodding her curls gravely at me. "I think I ought to see Lydia myself if it can be managed," I answered. "But she is so ill." Her lisp was childish and I unconsciously smiled a little. My smile put the little woman in quite a flutter. "I'll manage it," she said confidently. "You'll see; I'll manage it"; and the busy little body, in spite of her age, tripped out of the room. Presently she returned radiant. "It's all right," she said. "You can come; I told you I should manage it"; and she showed me to Lydia's room. Lydia was lying on a couch with a shawl thrown over her knees; but the chiton loosely fastened over her right shoulder showed all the beauty of her bare arm. Very different, indeed, did she look from the girl I awoke to find bending over me on the hill on Tyringham. The warm color of the sun had left her skin, which was now white and extremely delicate. Her head, then strong and erect, now leaned upon a pillow so gently that it seemed "A petal of blown roses on the grass." Her mother was standing as I entered and pushed a chair for me by Lydia's side. I sat upon it, and taking Lydia's hand, kissed it. A tear came in her eye at this act of sympathy and she said: "I am glad you have come to see me." "I would not have dared to come," said I, "were it not that I have to warn you in Chairo's interest and in your own to say nothing for the present."