In spite of his furs, the young man in the car turned quite
cold. "Not with us?" he gasped.

Miss Forbes appeared at the house door, followed by Ernest
Peabody. He wore an expression of disturbed dignity; she one
of distressed amusement. That she also wore her automobile
coat caused the heart of Winthrop to leap hopefully.

"Winthrop," said Peabody, "I am in rather an embarrassing
position. My sister, Mrs. Taylor Holbrooke"--he spoke the
name as though he were announcing it at the door of a
drawing-room--"desires Miss Forbes to go with her. She feels
accidents are apt to occur with motor cars--and there are no
other ladies in your party--and the crowds----"

Winthrop carefully avoided looking at Miss Forbes.
"I should be very sorry," he murmured.

"Ernest!" said Miss Forbes, "I explained it was impossible for
me to go with your sister. We would be extremely rude to Mr.
Winthrop. How do you wish us to sit?" she asked.

She mounted to the rear seat, and made room opposite her for
Peabody.

"Do I understand, Beatrice," began Peabody in a tone that
instantly made every one extremely uncomfortable, "that I am
to tell my sister you are not coming?"

"Ernest!" begged Miss Forbes.