of pearl-white silk, Ila's of
cream-white embroidered _mousseline de soie_, Helena's of pure white
tulle.

What little of Magdalena's neck the gown exposed, she concealed with a
broad band of cherry-coloured velvet, and a deep necklace of Turkish
coins, a gift from Ila. She revolved before the mirror several times in
succession after the maid had left the room. She was laced so tightly
that she could scarcely breathe, but she rejoiced in her likeness to a
French fashion-plate, and vowed never to wear a home-made gown again. In
her hair was a string of pearls that Trennahan had given her; and the
dagger. Would it work the spell?

She gave a final shake to her skirts and went downstairs.

There was no lack of gas to-night; the lower part of the house was one
merciless glare. No flowers graced the square ugly rooms, no decorations
of any sort; but the parlours were canvased, the best band in town was
tuning up, and the supper would be irreproachable. The dark-brown paper
of the hall looked very old and dingy, the carpet was threadbare in
places, the big teak-wood tables were in everybody's way and looked as
if they were meant for the dead to rest on; but when gay gowns were
billowing one would not notice these things.

Mrs. Yorba was in the green reception-room at the end of the hall. She
wore black velvet and a few diamonds, and looked impressively null. Tiny
and Ila arrived almost immediately. They looked, the one an angel with a
sense of humour, the other Circean with an eye to the conventions, both
as smart as Paris could make them. It was nearly ten o'clock, and there
was a rush just after.

Magdalena waited a half-hour for Helena, then opened the ball in a brief
waltz with Alan Rush instead of the quadrille in which the four
debutantes were to dance. She sent a message to Helena, and Mrs.
Cartright scribbled back that the poor dear child had altered the
trimming on her bodice at the last moment, and would not be ready for an
hour yet. Caro took her place in the quadrille, as she also wore white.

The ball promised to be a success. There were more young people than was
usual at Mrs. Yorba's parties, and more men than girls. They danced and
chatted with untiring energy, and between the dances they flirted on the
stairs and in every possible nook and corner. Magdalena frolicked
little, having her guests to look after; but whenever she rested for a
moment there was an obsequious backbone before her. Tiny and Ila we