"I only arrived here at seven, and I must leave at midnight." Phoebe hesitated a moment, then said with affected carelessness:-- "What do you think of the young girl who plays with him?
Do you know her?
Who is she ?" He looked at her quickly, and then said, with some surprise:-- "Did he not tell you ?" "She WAS the adopted daughter of Mrs.Peyton,--Miss Susan Silsbee," he said gravely.
"Then she DID run away from home as they said," said Phoebe impulsively.
"Not EXACTLY as they said," said Clarence gently.

"She elected to make her home with her aunt, Mrs.McClosky, who is the wife of the manager of this theatre, and she adopted the profession a month ago.

As it now appears that there was some informality in the old articles of guardianship, Mrs.Peyton would have been powerless to prevent her from doing either, even if she had wished to." The infelicity of questioning Clarence regarding Susy suddenly flashed upon the forgetful Phoebe, and she colored.

Yet, although sad, he did not look like a rejected lover.
"Of course, if she is here with her own relatives, that makes all the difference," she said gently.

"It is protection." "Certainly," said Clarence.
"And," continued Phoebe hesitatingly, "she is playing with--with--an old friend--Mr.Hooker!" "That is quite proper, too, considering their relations," said Clarence tolerantly.
"I--don't--understand," stammered Phoebe.
The slightly cynical smile on Clarence's face changed as he looked into Phoebe's eyes.
"I've just heard that they are married," he returned gently..