"What do you think?" he demanded indignantly.  "Ernest Peabody's inside making trouble. His sister has a Pullman on one of the special trains, and he wants Beatrice to go with her." 

 In spite of his furs, the young man in the car turned quite cold.  "Not with us?" he gasped. 

 Miss Forbes appeared at the house door, followed by Ernest Peabody. He wore an expression of disturbed dignity; she one of distressed amusement. That she also wore her automobile coat caused the heart of Winthrop to leap hopefully. 

 "Winthrop," said Peabody, "I am in rather an embarrassing position. My sister, Mrs. Taylor Holbrooke"—he spoke the name as though he were announcing it at the door of a drawing-room—"desires Miss Forbes to go with her. She feels accidents are apt to occur with motor cars—and there are no other ladies in your party—and the crowds——" 

 Winthrop carefully avoided looking at Miss Forbes.  "I should be very sorry," he murmured. 

 "Ernest!" said Miss Forbes, "I explained it was impossible for me to go with your sister. We would be extremely rude to Mr. Winthrop. How do you wish us to sit?" she asked. 

 She mounted to the rear seat, and made room opposite her for Peabody. 

 "Do I understand, Beatrice," began Peabody in a tone that instantly made every one extremely uncomfortable, "that I am to tell my sister you are not coming?" 

 "Ernest!" begged Miss Forbes. 

 Winthrop bent hastily over the oil valves. He read the speedometer, which was, as usual, out of order, with fascinated interest. 

 "Ernest," pleaded Miss Forbes, 

 "Mr. Winthrop and Sam planned this trip for us a long time ago—to give us a little pleasure——" 

 "Then," said Peabody in a hollow voice, "you have decided?" 

 "Ernest," cried Miss Forbes, "don't look at me as though you meant to hurl the curse of Rome. I have. Jump in. Please!" 

 "I will bid you good-by," said Peabody; "I have only just time to catch our train." 

 Miss Forbes rose and moved to the door of the car. 

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