Noel: "He won't mind. Besides, he doesn't know anything about her. And I had a particular reason for wanting to bring her to-night."
Gordon: "That's settled, then. Helen and I will dine here to-morrow night, mother."
Judy and Noel were amazed at the stand their father had taken.
"I never thought dad had it in him," Noel said later.
"Influence of morning prayers," answered Judy. "Father's always nicest just after prayers."
At ten o'clock the maid sought out Noel with the message that Countess Chiozzi was on the telephone and would like to speak to him.
"I lose, I'll bet," said Noel to Judy as he left the room.
"Hello, Connie!" he began cheerfully. "How's my aunt this morning? Feeling better? Good! I was rather a beast yesterday, wasn't I?"
"Yes, you were," a rather dejected voice replied. "I hardly slept a wink all night. Noel, it's . . . it's breaking my heart, but I know I can't give you up. There's no use. . . . I can't."
"Right you are! You don't have to. Tell you what—we'll go for a bean-o to-night. I'll dine you at a new place I wot of, and then I'll bring you back here. There'll be just the family, and
