"I gave no orders for the admission
of strangers here."

Before Ralph could speak, Agnes Barker came forward, and stood for a
moment looking steadily in the woman's face, thus concentrating her
entire attention on herself.

"Madam, if you are the mistress of this house," she said, with great
self-possession, "you will not consider this an intrusion, for it must
have been with your knowledge that I was sent for to attend Miss
French--the young lady who has lately taken up her residence here."

The woman stood for a moment as if struck dumb with astonishment, then a
faint smile dawned on her mouth, which was at once displaced by angry
glances cast upon Ralph Harrington.

"And this young gentleman, certainly he was not sent for?"

Again Agnes interrupted the explanation Ralph was ready to give.

"Your message, madam, was a strange one, and reached me after dark.
Surely a young girl coming so far from home, might be expected to bring
an escort."

"Besides," said Ralph, impetuously, "if Lina--if Miss French is here, I
have a better right to see her than any one else; and if she is in this
house, I must and will know her reasons for coming here."

"The young lady is in her room, and will receive no one at this time of
night," answered the woman, firmly; "if you wish to see her, let it be
at some more proper hour."

"But I, madam, have been summoned here by Miss French herself!" said
Agnes, with that firmness which had marked her conduct since she entered
the house. "Permit me to desire that you lead me to her room."

The woman looked keenly in her face a moment, as if about to contest the
wish, but some new thought seemed to spring up; and answering abruptly,
"Come, then," she left the room.

CHAPTER LXVIII.

RALPH FINDS LINA.

Ralph had been alone only a moment when Agnes came back, apparently in
breathless haste.

"Be ready," she whispered, "follow me after a moment--the room is dark
next to hers; be cautious and you can both see and hear what passes."

Before he could accept or reject her proposition, she was gone.

"It is but right," he reflected, controlling the first honorable impulse
which revolted at this secret method of gaining information; "there is
some mystery which can never be fathomed by straight-forward questions.
I will not listen meanly; but proper or not, if Lina French is in this
house I will speak with her!"

Obeying the impulse urged by these thoughts, he passed through the