ing's enjoyment
unalloyed.'

Dick shrugged his shoulders again. He did not understand how Lady Kelsey
expected no suggestion to reach Lucy of a matter which seemed a common
topic of conversation. The pause which followed Lady Kelsey's words was
not broken when Lucy herself appeared. She was accompanied by a spruce
young man, to whom she turned with a smile.

'I thought we should find your partner here.'

He went to Grace Vizard, and claiming her for the dance that was about
to begin, took her away. Lucy went up to Lady Kelsey and leaned over the
chair in which she sat.

'Are you growing very tired, my aunt?' she asked kindly.

'I can rest myself till supper time. I don't think anyone else will come
now.'

'Have you forgotten Mr. MacKenzie?'

Lady Kelsey looked up quickly, but did not reply. Lucy put her hand
gently on her aunt's shoulder.

'My dear, it was charming of you to hide the paper from me this morning.
But it wasn't very wise.'

'Did you see that letter?' cried Lady Kelsey. 'I so wanted you not to
till to-morrow.'

'Mr. MacKenzie very rightly thought I should know at once what was said
about him and my brother. He sent me the paper himself this evening.'

'Did he write to you?' asked Dick.

'No, he merely scribbled on a card: _I think you should read this_.'

No one answered. Lucy turned and faced them; her cheeks were pale, but
she was very calm. She looked gravely at Robert Boulger, waiting for him
to say what she knew was in his mind, so that she might express at once
her utter disbelief in the charges that were brought against Alec. But
he did not speak, and she was obliged to utter her defiant words without
provocation.

'He thought it unnecessary to assure me that he hadn't betrayed the
trust I put in him.'

'Do you mean to say the letter left any doubt in your mind?' said
Boulger.

'Why on earth should I believe the unsupported words of a subordinate
who was dismissed for misbehaviour?'

'For my part, I can only say that I never read anything more convincing
in my life.'

'I could hardly believe him guilty of such a crime if he confessed it
with his own lips.'

Bobbie shrugged his shoulders. It was only with difficulty that he held
back the cruel words that were on his lips. But as if Lucy read his
thoughts, her cheeks flushed.

'I think it's infamous that you should all be ready to believe the
worst,' she said hotly, in a low voice that trembled with indignant
anger. 'You're