Cora lost no time.  Corliss had not closed the front door behind him before she was running up the stairs.  Mrs. Madison, emerging from her husband’s room, did not see her daughter’s face; for Cora passed her quickly, looking the other way.

“Was anything the matter?” asked the mother anxiously.  “I thought I heard——­”

“Nothing in the world,” Cora flung back over her shoulder.  “Mr. Corliss said I couldn’t imitate Sara Bernhardt, and I showed him I could.”  She began to hum; left a fragment of “rag-time” floating behind her as she entered her own room; and Mrs. Madison, relieved, returned to the invalid.

Cora changed her clothes quickly.  She put on a pale gray skirt and coat for the street, high shoes and a black velvet hat, very simple.  The costume was almost startlingly becoming to her:  never in her life had she looked prettier.  She opened her small jewel-case, slipped all her rings upon her fingers; then put the diamond crescent, the pendant, her watch, and three or four other things into the flat, envelope-shaped bag of soft leather she carried when shopping.  After that she brought from her clothes-pantry a small travelling-bag and packed it hurriedly.

Laura, returning from errands downtown and glancing up at Cora’s window, perceived an urgently beckoning, gray-gloved hand, and came at once to her sister’s room.

The packed bag upon the bed first caught her eye; then Cora’s attire, and the excited expression of Cora’s face, which was high-flushed and moist, glowing with a great resolve.

“What’s happened?” asked Laura quickly.  “You look exactly like a going-away bride.  What——­”

Cora spoke rapidly:  “Laura, I want you to take this bag and keep it in your room till a messenger-boy comes for it.  When the bell rings, go to the door yourself, and hand it to him.  Don’t give Hedrick a chance to go to the door.  Just give it to the boy;—­and don’t say anything to mamma about it.  I’m going downtown and I may not be back.”

Laura began to be frightened.

“What is it you want to do, Cora?” she asked, trembling.

Cora was swift and business-like.  “See here, Laura, I’ve got to keep my head about me.  You can do a great deal for me, if you won’t be emotional just now, and help me not to be.  I can’t afford it, because I’ve got to do things, and I’m going to do them just as quickly as I can, and get it over.  If I wait any longer I’ll go insane.  I can’T wait!  You’ve been a wonderful sister to me; I’ve always counted on you, and you’ve never once gone back on me.  Right now, I need you to help me more than I ever have in my life.  Will you——­”

“But I must know——­”

“No, you needn’t!  I’ll tell you just this much:  I’ve got myself in a devil of a mess——­”

Laura threw her arms round her:  “Oh, my dear, dear little sister!” she cried.

But Cora drew away.  “Now that’s just what you mustn’t do.  I can’t stand it!  You’ve got to be quiet.  I can’t——­”