CHAPTER XII
YOUTH AND BEAUTY
It was two days after the dance at the yacht club that Diana came home. She arrived late and unexpectedly. Bettina had gone to bed, and the only light which burned to welcome her was Sophie's, on the third floor.
Diana paid her cabman, and set her key in the lock, to be welcomed by Peter Pan's purring note as she opened the door.
She stooped and picked up the big cat. "Dear Peter," she whispered.
Peter, held against her heart, sang his little song of content, and, standing for a moment in the darkness, Diana fought for self-control before she went up to Sophie's room.
Mrs. Martens, wrapped in her gray kimono, was writing letters. She looked up with a glad cry as Diana entered.
"Why, Diana," she said, "you darling!"
"I didn't telegraph," Diana said, as she kissed her friend, "for there wasn't any use. I had my key, and I knew I could get a cab——"