business; but on Mrs. Elliott calling upon him herself to explain that
she also was going, and would take care of Hal, he reluctantly
consented.

Curiously enough, it was that year in a great measure that changed the
current of Lorraine's life. She came to the cross-roads, and took the
wrong turn.

Perhaps Miss Walton, with her knowledge of girls, could have foretold
it. She might have said, in that enigmatical way of hers, "If Lorraine
comes to the cross-roads, where life offers a short cut to fame,
instead of a long, wearisome drudgery, she will probably take it. Hal
will score off her own bat, or not at all. Lorraine will only care
about gaining her end."


Anyhow the cross-roads came, and Hal, the stronger, was not there. As
a matter of fact, for some little time the two had not seen much of
each other. Lorraine was touring in the provinces, and rarely had time
to come to London. Hal was tied by her work, and could not spare the
time to go to Lorraine.

There was for a little while a cessation of intercourse. Neither was
the least bit less fond, but circumstances kept them apart, and they
could only wait until opportunity brought them together again. Both
were too busy for lengthy correspondence, and only wrote short letters
occasionally, just to assure each other the friendship held firm, and
absence made no real difference.

Then Hal went off to America, and while she was away Lorraine came to