A keen interest awoke in Alice’s eyes, and she looked immediately younger.  “If I can find one, I’ll buy it,” she answered.  “I’ll get dressed in a little while and go out.”

“And remember the hyacinth-blue dress.  Have it made fresh for to-morrow.”  Turning in the doorway, Corinna continued with humorous vivacity, “There is only one little thing we must forget, and that is love.  The less said about it the better; but you may take it on my authority that love can always be revived by heroic treatment.  If John ever really loved you, and you follow my advice, he will love you again.”

With a little song on her lips, and her gallant head in the red hat raised to the sunlight, she went out of the house and down the steps into her car.  “Fools are very exhausting,” she thought, as she bowed to a passing acquaintance, “but I think that she will be cured.”  Then, at the sight of Stephen leaving the Culpeper house, she leaned out and waved to him to join her.

“My dear boy, how late you are!” she exclaimed, when the car had stopped and he got in beside her.

“Yes, I am late.”  He looked tired and thoughtful.  “I stopped to have a talk with Mother, and she kept me longer than I realized.”

“Is anything wrong?”

He set his lips tightly.  “No, nothing more than usual.”

Corinna gazed up at the blue sky and the sunlight.  Why wouldn’t people be happy?  Why were they obliged to cause so much unnecessary discomfort?  Why did they persist in creating confusion?

“Well, I hope you are coming to the dance to-morrow night,” she said cheerfully.

“Yes.  Mother has asked me to take Margaret Blair.”

“I am glad.  Margaret is a nice girl.  I am going to take Patty Vetch.”

He started, and though she was not looking at him, she knew that his face grew pale.  “Don’t you think she will look lovely, just like a mermaid, in green and silver?” she asked lightly.

“I don’t know,” he answered stiffly.  “I am trying not to think about her.”

Corinna laughed.  “Oh, my dear, just wait until you see her in that sea-green gown!”

That he was caught fast in the web of the tribal instinct, Corinna realized as perfectly as if she had seen the net closing visibly round him.  Though she was unaware of the blow Patty had dealt him, she felt his inner struggle through that magical sixth sense which is the gift of the understanding heart, of the heart that has outgrown the shell of the personal point of view.  If he would only for once break free from artificial restraints!  If he would only let himself be swept into something that was larger than his own limitations!

“I am very fond of Patty,” she said.  “The more I see of her, the finer I think she is.”

His lips did not relax.  “There is a great deal of talk at the club about the Governor.”

“Oh, this strike of course!  What do they say?”