"Love isn't like that," flashed Diane. "It comes unbidden."

"To different natures come different dawnings of the immortal white
fire!" shrugged Carl. "My love will be largely a matter of will. I'm
armored heavily."

"For a golden key!" scoffed Diane, rising.

"Ah, well," said Carl impudently, "it was well worth a try! I'm sure I
could love with all the fiery appurtenances of the Devil himself if I
shed the armor."




CHAPTER IV

THE VOICE OF THE OPEN COUNTRY

"Aunt Agatha!" Diane rapped lightly at her aunt's bedroom door. "Are
you asleep?"

"No, no indeed!" puffed Aunt Agatha forlornly. "Certainly not. When
in the world did you come back from the farm, child? I've worried so!
And like you, too, to come back as unexpectedly as you went." She
opened the door wider for her niece to enter. "But as for sleep,
Diane, I hope I'm not as callous as that. I shan't sleep a wink
to-night, I'm sure of it."