“Marian is an impulsive and reckless girl,” snapped her mother. “She is entirely too fond of disregarding all conventions.”
“Has any one seen my daughter?” Mr. Warren’s deep voice was now heard above the hum of conversation. Mrs. De Lancey Smythe joined him and together they strolled over toward Maud and the count. Mrs. De Lancey Smythe seized this opportunity to say a few words in favor of the Count de Sonde, for it was evident that Mr. Warren had taken a violent dislike to the young man. Had some one persuaded the widow to make this appeal, or was she genuinely attracted by the young French nobleman?
Mr. Stuart found himself agreeably surprised by Monsieur Duval. When the sun began to sink, and the tea drinkers prepared to return to their hotel, Mr. Duval occupied a seat in the Stuart automobile. Moreover, when he said good-bye on the hotel veranda, he carried with him two invitations. One was to dine with the Stuart party that very evening, the other, to go with them the next day on a picnic.
No sooner was Bab out of the automobile than she determined to run up to Marian’s room. She knew the widow had not yet returned. Bab found the number of Marian’s room from the hotel clerk. Then she got in the elevator and went up to the top floor of the hotel.
She knocked at a door in the middle of a long narrow passage, and a faint voice said: “Come in.”
Bab entered a small bed room situated under the eaves of the hotel roof. There were three trunks in the tiny chamber which overlooked a court yard. The room was very close and hot. Marian was on the bed. She had cried herself to sleep. At Bab’s knock she opened her heavy eyes.
“Why, Barbara!” she exclaimed. “It is awfully good of you to come up to see me, but Mama would have three fits if she knew you had seen this room. I am glad you have come, because I have something special to tell you. I——” Poor Marian hesitated and stopped.
Barbara looked at her with questioning eyes.
“I am afraid it is dreadfully disloyal of me to say another word.” Marian pressed her hands to her temples. “And I haven’t anything really definite to tell you. But, oh Barbara, I have a suspicion that something may happen soon! Will you remember that I had nothing to do with it, and that I mean to prevent it if I can?”
Barbara, completely mystified, hardly knew what to reply.