Angela Caresfoot. She
is a woman intellectually, physically, and spiritually immeasurably
above the man on whom she has set her affections."

"That cannot be," said Mildred, softly, "like draws to like; she must
have found something in him, some better part, some affinity of which
you know nothing."

After this she fell into silence. Presently Lady Bellamy raised her
eyes, just now filled up with the great pupils, and fixed them on
Mildred.

"You are thinking," she said, slowly, "that Angela Caresfoot is a
formidable rival."

Mildred started.

"How can you pretend to read my thoughts?"

She laughed a little.

"I am an adept at the art. Don't be down-hearted. I should not be
surprised if, after all, the engagement between Mr. Heigham and Angela
Caresfoot should come to nothing. Of course, I speak in perfect
confidence."

"Of course."

"Well, the marriage is not altogether agreeable to the father, who
would prefer another and more suitable match. But, unfortunately,
there is no way of shaking the young lady's determination."

"Indeed."

"But I think that, with assistance, a way might be found."

Their eyes met, and this time Mildred took up the parable.

"Should I be wrong, Lady Bellamy, if I supposed that you have not come
to Madeira solely for pleasure?"

"A wise person always tries to combine business and pleasure."

"And in this case the business combined is in connection with Mr.
Heigham's engagement?"

"Exactly."

"And supposing that I were to tell him this?"

"Had I not known that you would on no account tell Mr. Heigham, I
should not have told you."

"And how do you know that?"

"I will answer your question by another. Did you ever yet know a
woman, who loved a man, willingly help him to the arms of a rival,
unless indeed she was forced to it?" she added, with something like a
sigh.

Mildred Carr's snowy bosom heaved tumultuously, and the rose-leaf hue
faded from her cheeks.

"You mean that I am in love with Arthur Heigham. On what do you base
that belief?"

"On a base as broad as the pyramids of which you were talking at
dinner. Public report, not nearly so misleading a guide as people
think, your face, your voice, your eyes, all betray you. Why do you
always try to get near him to touch him?--answer me that. I have seen
you do it three times this evening. Once you handed him a book in
order to touch his hand beneath it; but there is no need to enumerate
what you doubtless very