tand that it was painful to tell."

Then she changed the subject and soon afterwards a man came in and
claimed her for a dance.

CHAPTER XVI

MRS. KEITH ENTERS THE FIELD

A day or two after the dance Mrs. Chudleigh was sitting with Lieutenant
Walters in a recess of the big hall when she heard a car coming up the
drive. It stopped, a voice she thought familiar rose from the
vestibule, and her face hardened as Foster came in with Mrs. Keith and
Millicent Graham. Then Mrs. Foster, who did not notice that there was
anybody else about, moved forward to meet the newcomers and led them
through the hall.

"You looked surprised," Walters remarked when the others had
disappeared. "Didn't you know these people were coming?"

"I think you meant displeased, and you were right," said Mrs.
Chudleigh, who was capable of boldly correcting a mistake. "We made
such a pleasant friendly party here that I felt the presence of anybody
else would be rather a nuisance." She laughed as she went on: "Of
course it was a very selfish view to take, especially as I know Mrs.
Keith, and, now I recollect, Mrs. Foster did say some friends were
coming down, though she didn't tell me who they were."

Walters left her by and by, but she sat still to think. It was most
likely by chance that Mrs. Keith had decided to visit Hazlehurst just
then, but there was a possibility that it was due to design. During
their conversation on the Canadian river boat she had incautiously
mentioned that she was going to Shropshire, and Mrs. Keith was an
intimate friend of the Challoners. Mrs. Chudleigh had no wish to be
subjected to the keen old woman's observation, but after all Mrs. Keith
had no knowledge of her plans and would accordingly find it difficult
to interfere with them. Still, she must be careful and avoid any cause
for suspicion.

Tea was being brought in when Mrs. Keith and Millicent returned to the
hall and for a few moments Mrs. Chudleigh sat watching the girl. The
house was old and the dark panelling formed a good background for
Millicent's delicate beauty, which was of the blonde type. Mrs.
Chudleigh had to admit that she was pretty, and though she tried to
think of her as unformed, there was something in her face that hinted
at strength of character. Foster, who was as a rule indifferent to
women's society, obviously found her interesting, for he was talking to
her with animation, and Mrs. Chudleigh realized that the girl was
c