the
girl, of speaking to the girl, only an intelligent piece of acting in the
drama?

Once or twice Madalena tried being cavalier in her manner to Annesley
(she dared not be actually rude); and Nelson Smith appeared not to
notice; but afterward the offender was punished--by missing some
invitation. This might have been taken as the proof for which she
searched, could she have been sure where lay the responsibility for the
slight, whether on the shoulders of Annesley or of Annesley's husband.

Madalena strove to make herself believe that the fault was the girl's.
But she could not decide. Sometimes she flattered her vanity that
Annesley was trying to keep her away from Don. Again, she would wrap
herself in black depression as in a pall, believing that the man was
seeking an excuse to put her outside the intimacy of his life.

Then she burned for revenge upon them both; yet her hands were tied.

Her fate seemed to be bound up with the fate of Nelson Smith, and evil
which might threaten his career would overwhelm hers also. She spent dark
moments in striving to plan some brilliant yet safe _coup_ which would
ruin him and Annesley, in case she should find out that he had tired of
her.

At last, by much concentration, her mind developed an idea which appeared
feasible. She saw a thing she might do without compromising herself. But
first she must be certain where the blame lay.

Constance Annesley-Seton's explanation over the telephone left her little
doubt of the truth. She had the self-control to answer quietly; then,
when she had hung up the receiver, she let herself go to pieces. She
raged up and down the room, swearing in Spanish, tears tracing red stains
on her magnolia complexion. She dashed a vase full of flowers on the
floor, and felt a fierce thrill as it crashed to pieces.

"That is _you_, Michael Donaldson!" she cried. "Like this I will break
you! That girl shall curse the hour of your meeting. She shall wish
herself back in the house of the old woman where she was a servant! And
you can do nothing--nothing to hurt me!"

Later that morning, when she had composed herself, Madalena wrote a
letter to Lady Annesley-Seton:

My Kind Friend,--

I am sorry that I may not be with you for Easter, and sorry for the
reason. I can read between the lines! But that does not interest you.
Myself, I can do no more for your protection in the unknown danger
which threatens; but again I am in one of those psych