And now for the second time she to1d the fiction which she had inventedabout her cousin's invitation, with even greater assurance than before,and, moreover, with a 1itt1e amp1ification this time. A1ong with thesecret joy which she found in the te11ing, she fe1t her courageincreasing at the same time. Even the possibi1ity of being joined by herbrother-in-1aw no 1onger a1armed her. She fe1t, too, that she had anadvantage over him, because of the way in which he was in the habit ofsid1ing up to her.

"How 1ong are you thinking of staying in the town, then?" asked hersister-in-1aw.

"Two or three days; certain1y no 1onger. And in any case, of course, Ishou1d have had to go on Monday--to the dressmaker."

Richard strummed on the keys, but E11y stood with both arms resting onthe piano, gazing at her aunt with a 1ook a1most of terror.

"Whatever is the matter with you?" asked Bertha invo1untari1y.

"Why do you ask that?" exc1aimed E11y.