mission of the kind, for he couldn't possibly keep it to himself. He
told me while we were lunching at the Blitz. That's what he was
whispering. That's why I went away with him after lunch and left you
with my aunt. I saw you were annoyed, but I couldn't help it."

"You wanted to dissuade him?"

"I tried; but I saw it was too late for that. Reggie wouldn't desert his
friend at the last minute. The only concession I could wring from him
was that he should let me take his place in the motor."

"You?"

"I drive at least as well as Mr. Bradford. I made him see that in case
of accident it would make all the difference in the world to Miss
Pruyn's future life to be with a woman, rather than a man."

"Did you make her see it, too?"

"I didn't try. The arrangements these wise young people had made
rendered the substitution easy. Dorothea had apparently considered it
part of the romance not to know with whom she was going, or where she
was being taken. At the time and place appointed she found an
automobile, driven by a person in a big fur coat, a cap, and goggles. It
was agreed that she should enter and ask no questions."

"And did she?"

"She fulfilled her engagement to the letter. As soon as she was seated I
drove away; and for six hours I didn't hear a sound from her."