"You're not going to leave the house, I hope?" exclaimed her uncle.
"Certainly, uncle," she replied; "I feel quite well, and I will not overtax myself. I can stand anything better than staying idle here."
"I am strongly disposed to forbid you," said Mr. Pembroke, anxiously; "you are sure to have a most disagreeable and painful experience."
"Please don't go!" cried Louise, who had read the paper that Mr. Pembroke had concealed.
"I am sorry to displease you both," returned Clara, "but if I am forbidden to go I shall have to disobey."
"Then Louise must go with you," said her uncle.
"I should like to have her. Will you, Lou, dear?"
Louise was only too anxious to accompany her cousin, and accordingly they left the house together just in time to escape a squad of reporters representing the other evening papers. Clara had arranged her programme the night before, and left word at the house for Ralph and Paul, should they come in her absence, to go to Ivan's room. Mrs. White had seen Clara on the few occasions when Mr. Strobel had served afternoon tea to his intended and other friends, and she fell into a great flurry of agitation when she recognized her at the door.
"Come in," she stammered as she led the way; "of course I am glad to see you, for I am certain you cannot believe it."
Louise tried to check the landlady from making the inevitable revelation, but Clara laid one hand on her cousin's arm and asked: