appearance of Margaret.

It was characteristic of Maitland that within himself he did not greatly
blame the schoolmistress. He had so little human nature--as he admitted,
on the evidence of his old college tutor--that he was never able to
see things absolutely and entirely from the point of view of his own
interests. His own personality was not elevated enough to command
the whole field of human conduct. He was always making allowances for
people, and never felt able to believe himself absolutely in the
right, and everyone else absolutely in the wrong. Had he owned a more
full-blooded life, he would probably have lost his temper, and "spoken
his mind," as the saying is, to poor Miss Marlett She certainly should
never have let Margaret go with a stranger, on the authority even of a
telegram from the girl's guardian.

It struck Maitland, finally, that Miss Marlett was very slow about
finding the despatches. She had been absent quite a quarter of an hour.
At last she returned, pale and trembling, with a telegraphic despatch
in her hand, but not alone. She was accompanied by a blonde and agitated
young lady, in whom Maitland, having seen her before, might have
recognized Miss Janey Harman. But he had no memory for faces, and merely
bowed vaguely.

"This is Miss Harman, whom I think you have seen on other occasions,"
said Miss Marlett, trying to be calm.

Maitland bowed again, and wondered more than ever. It did occur to him,
that the fewer people knew of so delicate a business the better for
Margaret's sake.

"I have brought Miss Harman here, Mr. Maitland, partly because she is
Miss Shields' greatest friend" (here Janey sobbed), "but chiefly because
she can prove, to a certain extent, the truth of what I have told you."

"I never for a moment doubted it, Miss Marlett; but will you kindly let
me compare the two telegrams? This is a most extraordinary affair,
and we ought to lose no time in investigating it, and discovering
its meaning. You and I are responsible, you know, to ourselves, if
unfortunately to no one else, for Margaret's safety."

"But I haven't got the two telegrams!" exclaimed poor Miss Marlett, who
could not live up to the stately tone of Maitland. "I haven't got them,
or rather, I only have one of them, and I have hunted everywhere, high
and low, for the other."

Then she offered Maitland a single dispatch, and the flimsy pink paper
fluttered in her shaking hand.

Maitland took it up and read aloud