"Wait a moment. Does she say that she is often in low spirits?"

Patty faltered, stroking her dress with the movement of increasing
nervousness.

"It's better I should know," Hilliard added, "I'm afraid she keeps
all this from me. For several weeks I have thought her in
particularly good health."

"But she tells me just the opposite. She says----"

"Says what?"

"Perhaps it's only the place that doesn't agree with her. I don't
think Dudley is _very_ healthy, do you?"

"I never heard of doctors sending convalescents there. But Eve must
be suffering from some other cause, I think. Does it strike you that
she is at all like what she used to be when--when you felt so
anxious about her?"

He met the girl's eyes, and saw them expand in alarm.

"I didn't think--I didn't mean----" she stammered.

"No, but I have a reason for asking. Is it so or not?"

"Don't frighten me, Mr. Hilliard! I do so wish I hadn't said
anything. She isn't in good health, that's all. How can you think