ness of the chin
showed that she was older--forty, perhaps.

Still, Annesley hoped that her lover had not asked the lady to "mother"
his fiancee. She had not the air of one who would be complimented by such
a request.

As Annesley put her hand into that of the Countess, she noticed that this
hand was as wonderful as the rest of the woman's personality. It was very
long, very narrow, with curiously supple-looking fingers exquisitely
manicured and wearing many rings. Even the thumb was abnormally long,
which fact prevented the hand from being as beautiful as it was, somehow,
unforgettable.

"This is a pleasure and a surprise," began the Countess, smiling, her
eyes appearing to take in the full-length portrait of Annesley Grayle
with their wide, unmoving gaze. When she smiled she was still extremely
handsome, but not so perfect as with lips closed, for her white teeth
were too short, somewhat irregular, and set too wide apart. She spoke
English perfectly, with a slight foreign accent and a roll of the letter
"r."

"My friend--Nelson Smith" (she turned, laughing, to him), "has told me
ex-_citing_ news. We have known each other a long time. I think this is
the best thing that can happen. And you will be a lucky girl. He, too,
will be lucky. I see that!" with another smile.

Annesley was disappointed because the beautiful woman's voice was not
sweet.

"Now you must engage her room," Nelson Smith said, abruptly. "It's late.
You can make friends afterward."

"Very well," the Countess agreed. "And you--will you come to the desk?
Yet, no--it is better not. Miss Grayle and I will go together--two women
alone and independent. Lucky it's not the season, or we might find
nothing free at short notice. But Don--I mean Nelson--always did have
luck. I hope he always will!"

She flashed him a meaning look, though what the meaning was Annesley
could not guess. She knew only that she did not like the Countess as she
had wished to like her lover's friend. There was something secret in the
dark eyes, something repellent about the long, slender thumb with its
glittering nail.

CHAPTER VIII

THE BLUE DIAMOND RING

Annesley had not expected to sleep. There were a million things to
think of, and it was one o'clock before she was ready to slip into bed
in the green-and-white room with its bathroom annex. But the crowding
experiences of five hours had exhausted the girl. Sleep fell upon her as
her head nestled into a downy p