that she would not find joy. I thought her mere presence must
send the vibrations of happiness through the household. Yet again
- why? For where there is no receiver the current speaks in vain;
and for an instant I seemed to see the air full of messages - of
speech striving to utter its passionate truths to deaf ears
stopped for ever against the breaking waves of sound. But Vanna
heard.

She left the room; and when the bridge was over, I made my
request. Lady Meryon shrugged her shoulders and declared it would
be a terribly dull run - the scenery nothing, "and only" (she
whispered) "Aunt Selina and poor Miss Loring?"

Of course I saw at once that she did not like it; but Sir John
was all for my going, and that saved the situation.

I certainly could have dispensed with Aunt Selina when the
automobile drew up in the golden river of the sunrise at the
hotel. There were only the driver, a personal servant, and the
two ladies; Mrs. Delany, comely, pleasant, talkative, and Vanna-

Her face in its dark motoring veil, fine and delicate as a young
moon in a cloud drift - the sensitive sweet mouth that had
quivered a little when she spoke of Fitzgerald - the pure glance
that radiated such kindness to all the world. She sat there with
the Key of Dreams pressed against her slight bosom - her eyes
dreaming above it. Already the strange airs of her unknown world
were breathing about me, and as yet I knew not the things that
belonged unto my peace.