“Don’t think about it, anyway!” James said.

“I try not to.”

“You must not!”

“I know why Uncle Tom did not want me to go out alone this morning,” Clemency said, with one of her quick wise looks, cocking her head like a bird.

“Why?”

“He wanted to make sure that that woman has really gone.”

“Clemency, you must not mention that man or woman to me again,” said James.

“I am not married to you yet,” Clemency said, pouting.

“That makes no difference, you must promise.”

“Well, then, I will.  I am so happy this morning, that I will promise anything.”

James looked about to be sure nobody was in sight before he kissed the little radiant face.

“I won’t speak of them again, but I am right,” Clemency said with a little toss and blush, and it proved that she was.

At luncheon Doctor Gordon told Clemency that she could go wherever she liked.  She gave a little glance at James, and said gayly, “All right, Uncle Tom.”

That afternoon Gordon and James made some calls in company, driving far into the hills.  They had hardly started before Gordon said abruptly, “Well, the woman is gone, and there is a wild excitement in Westover over her disappearance.  I believe they are about to drag the pond.  A man who knew her well by sight declares that she boarded that New York train, but the people will not give up the theory that she has been murdered for her jewelry.  By the way, I think I need not worry over her immediate necessities.  It seems that she had worn a quantity of very valuable jewels.  Of course her going without any baggage except a suit-case, and leaving behind the greater part of her wardrobe, does look singular.  But it seems that the house was rented furnished, and I fancy she lived always in light marching orders, and probably carried the most valuable of her possessions upon her person and in her suit-case.  Well, I am thankful she has decamped.”

“You don’t fear her returning?” asked James with some anxiety.

“No, I have no fear of that.  She is probably broken-hearted over the death of that man.  She is not of the sort to kidnap on her own account.  It was only for him.  Clemency has nothing more to fear.”

“I am thankful.”

“You can well believe that I am, when I tell you that this afternoon I am absolutely sure, for the first time in years, that the girl is safe to come and go as she pleases.  I have had hideous uncertainty as well as hideous certainty to cope with.  Now it is down to the hideous certainty.  That is bad enough, but fate on an open field is less unmanning than fate in ambush.  I have long known to a nicety the fate in the field.”  Gordon hesitated a second, then he said abruptly, with his face turned from his companion, in a rough voice, “Clara can’t last many days.”

James made an exclamation.

“She has gone down hill rapidly during the last two days,” said Gordon.  “I have been increasing the morphine.  It can’t last long.”  Gordon ended the sentence with a hoarse sob.