your feet'--and I'm helping you--in London. I prophesy that she'll prove
an attraction. Why, it would pay to have a room fitted up for her in
purple and black, with relays of fresh lilies."

Annesley smiled. But she made up her mind that, if a room _were_ done in
purple and black with relays of lilies anywhere for the Countess de
Santiago, it would not be in her house. Unless, of course, Knight begged
it of her as a favour.

And even then--but somehow she didn't believe, despite certain
appearances, that Knight was anxious to have his old friend near him. He
had the air of one who was paying a debt; and she remembered how he had
said, on the day of their wedding: "We will find a time to pay back the
favours they've done us."

This visit and dinner and introduction to society was perhaps his way of
paying the Countess. Only--was it payment in full, or an instalment?
Annesley wondered.

Vaguely she wondered also what had become of Dr. Torrance and the
Marchese di Morello. Would the next payment be for them, and what form
would it take?

She was far from guessing.

There was no anti-climax that night in the success of the Countess with
her "clients." They were deeply impressed, and even startled. Not one
woman said to herself that she had been tricked into giving the seeress a
"lead." There was nothing in the past hidden from that crystal and the
dark eyes which gazed into it! As for the future, her predictions were
remarkable; and she must have given people flattering accounts of their
characters, as everyone thought the analysis correct.

What a pity, the women whispered, that such an astonishing person was not
a professional, who could be paid in cash! As it was, she would expect to
be rewarded with invitations: and though she was presentable, "You
_know_, my dear, she's frightfully pretty, the red-haired sort, that's
the most dangerous--not a bit safe to have about one's _men_. Still--no
price is too high. We shall all be fighting for her--or over her."

And before the evening had come to an end the Countess de Santiago had
had several invitations for town and country houses. To be sure, they
were rather informal. But the beautiful lady knew when to be lenient, and
so she accepted them all.

"She told me that our stolen things are hidden away for ever, and that
we'll be robbed again," Connie said to her husband on the way back to
Valley House.

"She told me the same," said Dick. "And I hope to goodness we