"MR. LOUDEN!" she called, suddenly.

Joe's voice came from the stairway. "It's all
right, Claudine. It's all fixed up. Don't worry."

Mrs. Fear gave a thick cry of relief and sank back
in her chair as Joe entered the room. He came in
shamblingly, with his hand over his eyes as if they
were very tired and the light hurt them, so that,
for a moment or two, he did not perceive the second
visitor. Then he let his hand fall, revealing a face
very white and worn.

"It's all right, Claudine," he repeated. "It's all
right."

He was moving to lay his hat on the desk when
his eye caught first the roses, then fell upon Ariel,
and he stopped stock-still with one arm outstretched,
remaining for perhaps ten seconds in that attitude,
while she, her lips parted, her eyes lustrous,
returned his gaze with a look that was as
inscrutable as it was kind.

"Yes," she said, as if in answer to a question, "I
have come here twice to-day." She nodded slightly
toward Mrs. Fear. "I can wait. I am very
glad you bring good news."

Joe turned dazedly toward the other. "Claudine,"