The flowers were a good omen. He had probably been thinking about Saturday night and was coming to make amends. That was what he meant by "good news." Well, it was good news and she would welcome him with open arms. But he brought complications also. On the whole, she concluded to take the plunge. She would, she decided at last, sitting uneasily in a chair near the window, tell him everything and throw herself upon his mercy. And now, in preparation for the ordeal, she would change into fresh clothes for the evening. It was nearly half-past five.
She went to her wardrobe and selected a simple, sleeveless evening gown of a silky burnt-orange material and laid it out upon the bed. Then she disrobed, bathed, foregoing the assistance of her maid, and donned the fresh costume. Physically the renovation made her feel considerably better. She was sitting on the little bench in front of the mirror in her elaborate dressing table administering the final touches to her toilette when she caught sight of Dudley's face behind her in the glass. He startled her, for she had not heard his taxi arriving. He was agrin from ear to ear. She rose with a joyous expression and in two strides he had her in his arms and was kissing her hands and face and shoulders very thor-
