But, consoling herself with the thought that she would be prepared, she had always set the day on so distant an horizon that it had no terrors for her.

Now it suddenly dismayed her, a terror close at hand.

Here on this crowded balcony joyous with lights and gay voices and invaded by all the subtle invitations of a summer night above the water! Oh no, it was not possible! Luttrell put his hand to his breast pocket and Stella watched and listened now with all her soul.

More than once during dinner she had seen him touch that pocket in an abstraction.

He drew from it two papers, one the cablegram which he had received from Cairo, the other Hardiman's reply.