" He looked into
Margaret's eyes. "Don't waste any time on dressmakers, Meg! Wear any
old things,--you always look delightful."

"Catch me wasting time!" Margaret said. Her eyes assured him of her
words. "Come upstairs for me in ten minutes--I'll be ready."

* * * * * *

A minute or two later Margaret returned to the sitting-room. Michael
had left it. She was glad.

"Hadassah," she said, "listen. The most extraordinary thing has
happened. Millicent Mervill is up in the drawing-room." Margaret was
trembling with anger and nervousness.

"What? That woman here? How has she found you, how dare she come to
see you?" Hadassah's voice was indignant, furious; her eyes flashed.

Margaret hurriedly explained to her how for the last two days she had
felt that someone was following her, a dark figure, indistinctly
dressed in black.

"She watched me in the square this morning. With her old cunning, she
managed to get in by bringing some corset-boxes with her. Smith
thought she had come to try something on. Isn't it like her?"

"Have you seen her?"

"No, not yet. She gave this note to Smith to give to me; he thought it
was just a list of the things she had brought. I knew her handwriting
the moment I saw it. Please read it."

Hadassah read the letter. It was very short.

"Dear Miss Lampton,

"If you will let me see you, I will tell you something which you ought
to know. Please don't refuse. What I know may greatly help Mr. Amory.

"I only heard the other day that he never discovered the treasure. It
is about that I want to see you.

"Yours,

"MILLICENT MERVILL."

When Hadassah had finished reading the note, she raised her eyes; they
met Margaret's.

"You had better see her." Hadassah spoke quickly.

"Yes, I must, I suppose. I only wanted to know if you would mind--it
is your house. I think it's such impertinence."

"Of course not. But what can she have to tell you?"

"I don't know, but whatever it is, I do wish she hadn't come."
Margaret sighed. "We were all so happy, and she is associated with
everything that is hateful."

"Would you like me to come with you?"

"No, no." Margaret shook her head. "I am always best alone, but I
dread the interview."

She paused for a moment or two before leaving the room. She was
building up her courage, trying to subdue her nervousness. As she went
out, Hadassah's eyes followed her.

"Poor girl!" she