as I saw it, it must haunt you. Her eyes were quite
wild and despairing, I cannot forget them.'

'Oh, I think you exaggerate,' said Mina lightly. 'I saw her very well.
It was the usual calm, rather insolent stare these girls give. I do not
think she looked either very ill or very desperate, and she seemed
comfortably clothed. What do you think, Clara?'

'Oh, I didn't see her,' answered Clara, with a slight yawn. 'Yes, Gladys
dear, I do think you worry too much over things. What can that girl
possibly be to you? Of course we are very sorry for her; still, if she
is in trouble, she has brought it on herself. It will never do for you
to mix yourself up with all sorts and conditions. I say, wasn't Sims
Reeves heavenly to-night, and "Come into the garden, Maud," more
entrancing than ever? To think what immense power that man wields in his
voice! He can do with his audience as he likes. He was in splendid
form.'

Gladys remained silent. The concert had given her a rare pleasure, but
it was obliterated at the moment by the incident of the face at the
carriage window.

'We had better get to bed, girls, or mamma will be sending Katherine to
us presently,' said Mina, as she picked herself up from the rug.
'Good-night, dear, and don't worry. If you wrinkle up your brows like
that over every trifle, you will be old before your time.'

Gladys faintly smiled, and bade them good-night. She 'worried' a good
deal more than either of them imagined.

'I say, Clara, I do wish we could induce Gladys to leave that girl
alone,' Mina said to her sister, as she threw off her evening gown and
began to brush out her hair. 'I have the oddest feeling about it, just
as if it would make mischief. Haven't you?'

'No; but you needn't try to dissuade Gladys from anything she has set
her mind upon. I never saw anybody so "sot," as Artemus Ward would say;
she's positive to the verge of obstinacy. But what makes you have any
feeling in the matter I can't imagine; you never even saw the girl in
your life.'

'No, but I feel interested in her, all the same. And, I say'--

She broke off there rather suddenly, and meditatively brushed her hair
for a few seconds in silence.

'Did you notice that afternoon we had the tea, after all the people were
gone, you remember that Cousin George spilled the contents of a cup on
mamma's gown?'

'Yes, I remember that, of course, but what can it have to do with Gladys
and this Hepburn girl?'

'Did nothing occur