"Yes! Wait!" In an instant she was gone from the room, leaving Tom Osby staring at the flickering fire, now brighter in the advancing shades of evening.
In perhaps half an hour Alice Strowbridge reappeared.

The rich black laces, and the ripe red rose, and the blazing jewels, all were gone.
She was clad in simple white--and yes! a blue sash was there.

The piled masses of her hair were replaced by two long, glossy braids.

By the grace of the immortal gods all misdeeds were lifted from her that night.

For once in many years she was sincere.