ten the next morning--too late to catch the express for Mercer. He
would take the night train, and arrive at noon on Saturday. A day and
a half to wait. And at that she realized with sudden astonishment that
it was still Thursday. It seemed hours and hours since she had read
that telegram. Yet it was scarcely an hour ago that she had been
dancing the Virginia reel with those terrible people! A little later
she had noticed William King lingering behind the departing guests;
how annoyed she had been at his slowness. Then he had taken that
envelope out of his pocket--she gasped again, remembering the shock of
its contents.

In this tumult of broken and incoherent thought, the night passed. It
was not until dawn that her mind cleared enough for consecutive
thinking, and when it did she was so fatigued that she fell asleep and
slept heavily till awakened by an anxious knock at her door. Had Mrs.
Richie one of her headaches? Should Sarah bring her some coffee?

"Why, what time is it? Has David gone to school? What! ten o'clock!"
She was broad awake at that--he must have got the despatch. Allowing
for delays, his answer ought to reach her by noon.

She sprang up with the instinct to do something to get ready! She
began to plan her packing, the thrill of action tingling through her.
She dressed hurriedly, looking incessantly at the clock, and then
laughing to herself. What difference did it make how late it was? By
no possibility could Lloyd appear on the morning stage; unless, yes,
it _was_ possible; Mr. Raynor might have telegraphed him. No; Mr.
Raynor had never recognized the situation. Lloyd could not reach her
until noon on Saturday; he could only telegraph. She sighed and
resigned herself to facts, drinking the coffee Sarah brought her, and