But he hasn't married during those four years, so I always kept a hope that we should be somewhere together again for a few days, and that afterwards he would come back to me." "That's why you chose this week to come to Rackham Park ?" "Yes," answered Stella Croyle; and she laughed harshly.

"But I hadn't considered you." Joan looked helplessly at her companion.

Stella had not one small chance of the fulfilment of her hope--no, not one--even if she herself stood a million miles away.

Of that Joan was sure.

But how was she to say so to one who was blind and deaf to all but her hope, who would not listen, who would not see?
Mario Escobar had left his gloves behind him on a couch.