face. "Though he spoke only a word or two to me, he did a very
chivalrous thing; one that needed courage and coolness. I find it hard
to believe that such a man could ever be a coward."

"So do I," Mrs. Keith agreed. "Still, I haven't seen him since he was
a boy."

"I saw him in London just before he went to India," Mrs. Ashborne said.
"It's strange I have never heard the story before; although I have had
whispers of the scandal from several quarters. It seems to be a sort
of skeleton in the closet' for the Challoners."

"The disgrace was a great blow to the Colonel. He has never got over
it."

"I saw some one in the hotel last night that reminded me strongly of
young Blake. But I suppose it couldn't have been."

"No one knows where he is," Mrs. Keith replied. "I believe he went to
East Africa, and from there he may have drifted to America. The
Colonel never hears from him."

She picked up one of her letters which had not yet been opened.

"This," she said, "is from Frances Foster--you know her. I'm sure it
will contain news of the Challoner wedding."

She tore open the envelope and Mrs. Ashborne turned again to her
English newspaper. Millicent sat looking out over the gorge, while her
thoughts went back to a dimly lighted drawing-room in a small London