"Is she--pretty?" the girl asked.

"I think," Helen said slowly, "that she is the most beautiful woman I
have ever seen."

Unlike his usual self, John Everard was very silent and thoughtful as he
drove home later that evening. Helen had said that Joan Meredyth was the
most beautiful woman she had ever seen. He agreed with her
whole-heartedly. She had received him and Ellice kindly, yet without
much warmth, and now as he drove home in the light of the setting sun
Johnny Everard was thinking about this girl, going over all that had
happened, remembering every word almost that she had uttered.

"She is very beautiful, wonderfully beautiful," he thought. And perhaps
he uttered his thoughts aloud, for the girl, as silent as himself, who
sat beside him, started and looked up into his face, and into the
passionate, rebellious heart of her there came a sudden wave of jealous
hatred.




CHAPTER XVII

UNREST


Lady Linden patted the girl's small white hand.