Inza was doubtful if he would succeed, but she did not tell him so. She hoped he might, but she knew Elsie had quite made up her mind on that point.
“We have but a day or two to spend in Baltimore,” said Frank. “You must go out to dinner with us, girls. What do you say to dinner at the Belvidere? At nine this evening I am to meet some friends at the University Club. Before that I am yours to command.”
“I’m another,” smiled Bart. “The Belvidere looks good to me. Eh, Elsie?”
To his surprise he saw that her face was colorless and her figure drooping.
Inza noted this and flew to her friend.
“The excitement, the shock has upset her!” she exclaimed. “You should have let us know you were coming.”
She knew what to do to restore Elsie, but the delicate girl with the golden hair was quite weak and exhausted as she lay amid the pillows with Bart Hodge, repentant and anxious, hovering over her. Hodge was conscience-stricken.
“It was my fault!” he declared. “I suggested to Frank that we should give you this surprise. Oh, I’m sorry, Elsie—I’m sorry! I didn’t mean——”
Forcing a faint smile, Elsie lifted her hand and gently pressed her fingers over his lips.
“No one is to blame,” she said. “It was fine of you to wish to give me pleasure by such a surprise. But you see how weak I am. I can’t go out to dinner to-night. Oh, what am I good for in the world anyhow?”