The necessary articles were in her wristbag and she applied them quickly, then turned off the light once more and peered again from the window. The streets were narrow and unfamiliar, even squalid; where was she being taken?
Pressing a button, she caught up the speaking tube.
"I wished to go directly home and I cannot understand why we have not reached there. Did Mrs. Atterbury give any different instructions?"
"No, miss, only to drive back along the Western Parkway, but I find the streets are closed for repairs, and I have to go around. I'm sorry; I'll hurry, miss."
The car zig-zagged for several blocks further, then turned a corner sharply and swung into the North Drive, shooting forward with lightning speed. Betty held her breath as the car skidded between the towering entrance gates and she drew a deep sigh of relief when it swooped under the porte-cochère and came to a jarring halt before the lighted doorway.
Mrs. Atterbury was awaiting her and drew her into the library.
"What has happened?" Her tone was low but vibrating as if she spoke with bated breath. "The lady did not appear?"
Betty shook her head.
"A man came instead. He wore an orchid boutonniere, and he tried to make me listen to him. He had your letter with him, and wanted to put it in my muff but I pretended not to understand, but to be insulted at his daring to address me. He would not go, so I left him."
She described her experience of the afternoon in detail, omitting only to mention the girl who had accosted her in the lobby, and Mrs. Atterbury heard her without interruption to the end, then placing her hand beneath the girl's chin, she lifted her face to the light.