"'When the forest shall mislead me;
When the night and morning lie.'"

She turned her swimming eyes upon Paul's mother, who would be sure to
remember the quotation.

Mrs. Bogardus remained perfectly still, her lips slightly parted. She grew
very pale. Then she rose and walked quickly to the door.

"Just a breath of cold air!" she panted. The doctor, Moya, and Mrs. Creve
had followed her into the hall. Moya placed herself on the settle beside
her and leaned to support her, but she sat back rigidly with her eyes
closed. Mrs. Creve looked on in quiet concern. "Let me take you into the
study, Mrs. Bogardus!" the doctor commanded. "A glass of water, Moya,
please."

"How is she? What is it? Can we do anything?" The company crowded around
Mrs. Creve on her return to the drawing-room. She glanced at her brother.
There was no clue there. He stood looking embarrassed and mystified. "It
is only the warm welcome we give our friends," she said aloud, smiling
calmly. "Mrs. Bogardus found the room too hot. I think I should have
succumbed myself but for that little recess in the hall."

The colonel attacked his fire. He thought he was being played with. Things
were not right in the house, and no one, not the doctor, or even Annie,
was frank with him. His kind face flushed as he straightened up to bid his
guests good-night.

"Well, if it's not anything serious, you think. But you'll be sure to let