Fortunately he contents himself with putting his feelings into a burning look, the ardor of which causes the cheeks of the young ma’mselle to grow as red as fire, and she looking the other way at the time.

“I promised to tell you what success I had in my search,” he begins, knowing the confession to be inevitable.

Now she looks at him eagerly, expectantly.

“Yes, and I have tried to read the result in your face, but fear that it has not been flattering.”

So he tells her all, dealing lightly with the matter of Miss Pauline, though she is such an important factor in the game that she cannot be ignored.

Lady Ruth looks him directly in the eyes with her own steel blue orbs, so honest, so strong, that John has always delighted to meet their gaze, nor does he avoid it now.

“Perhaps I have no business to ask, Doctor Craig, but this Pauline Potter—­what is she to you, what was she to you that she goes to all this trouble?  Have you a secret of hers which she desires to gain?”

“I desire to retain your good opinion, Lady Ruth, and consequently am anxious that you should know all.  I shall not spare myself one iota.”

So he explains how the fascinating actress caught his boyish fancy some two years previous, and how devoted he had been to her until he learned of her duplicity.

Then followed his denunciation in the presence of several admirers, after which he had not seen her again until the night before.

All of which is told in a frank way, and listened to with earnestness.

At the conclusion of his narrative, John looks again into Lady Ruth’s face to see whether she condemns him or not, and is gratified to discover a smile there.

“I think you are little to blame, Doctor Chicago.  Like all young men, you were dazzled by the bright star that flashed before your eyes; but your illusion lasted only a brief time, for which you may be thankful.  As to this woman’s endeavor to regain your regard, it shows what a brazen creature she is.”

The fine contempt she feels is written on her face, and John is glad he made a full confession of the whole matter.

“I hope I will never see her again,” he says, in a penitent way.

“So do I,” she echoes, and then turns a trifle red, hastily adding:  “for your sake, doctor.  Now, tell me what you hope to do about finding your mother.”

Thus, with the diplomacy of a general, upon finding herself growing uncomfortable she instantly changes the situation, and brings a new question to the fore.

John does not notice this.  He is too well pleased with the fact that she overlooks his indiscretion, and still grants him her valued friendship.

He goes on to explain his plans.

They are not elaborate.  The paper which Philander Sharpe discovered gives him a new clew, and this he means to push to the utmost.

He anticipates success, but is gradually learning to tone down his enthusiasm, realizing that difficulties beset his way.