“You will not write to me?”

“No, I can’t. I would if I could. I will tell you—then you will understand and not care—somebody—”

“What right has somebody—”

Mrs. Wadsworth entered laughing, Mr. Wadsworth was close behind.

“Excuse me, sir; I can’t stay to play to-night. Good night, Lady Blue. A pleasant visit and safe return.”

An hour later Tessa was kneeling on the carpet before her open trunk squeezing a roll of pencilled manuscript into a corner.

A tap at the door was followed by a voice, “Daughter, may I come in?”

“If you will not mind the confusion.”

He closed the door and seated himself on a chair near the end of the trunk.

“There is a confusion somewhere that I do mind,” he began nervously.