how serious and intent were his features, she laughed softly.
"Let me have things just a moment now, Mr. Preston," she said, as he turned aside, disappointed at her laughter.
"What?"
"Well, first; if I now had that letter from Mrs. Thorne, you would feel, of course, that you could go on with us?"
"Yes; I think so."
"Now, how could the letter give us such knowledge of you that we would be safer than we now are in trusting you?"
"Well—well—" Preston stammered.
"How many times have you seen Mrs. Thorne or, rather, has she seen you?"
"Oh, I can't say. I used to go to dances at her house; and a dinner party once. And of course I have called."
"With your mother?"
"To tell the truth that is the way mother usually got me there."
"Precisely. Now, just for the fun of it,
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