oked at the Duchess of Peebles. Everyone rose, and, as
Annesley had feared, Ruthven Smith followed the ladies out of the great
dining hall.

Constance led them to the Chinese drawing room for coffee, and as the
women grouped themselves to chat, or gaze at Buddhas and treasures of
ancient dynasties, she suddenly recalled Madalena's latest vision in the
crystal.

It seemed that it would interest rather than frighten her friends to hear
of it. Besides, if it did frighten them a little, she didn't much mind.
She bore the Duchess of Peebles and several others a grudge because they
had come to Valley House not on her account, or Dick's, but because it
was an open secret who were the real host and hostess on this occasion.
Last year, if she had invited these people, they would have been
"dreadfully sorry they were already promised for Easter."

It was Nelson Smith's money and popularity which had lured them. They
knew they would have wonderful things to eat, and probably the women
were counting on presents of Easter eggs in the morning with exciting
surprises inside!

"Are you all very brave?" she asked aloud and gaily. "Because I've
just remembered that the Countess de Santiago saw a picture of us in
her crystal, grouped together as we are now, in this very room,
and--something happening."

"Something nice, or horrid?" asked the Duchess, a tall, pretty woman,
who looked as if Rossetti had created her, with finishing touches by
Burne-Jones.

"Ah, she couldn't see. The vision faded," Constance replied. "But perhaps
_we_ shall see--if this is to be the night."

As she spoke the men came into the room. Ruthven Smith's example was
contagious. They had been deserted by the ladies hardly ten minutes ago.
Annesley felt sure that Knight had contrived to hurry the others. He,
too, then, had guessed why Ruthven Smith had gone out of the dining hall
with the women. Perhaps he also had a plan!

He came straight to his wife, who was standing with Lady Cartwright. Not
far off was Ruthven Smith, still with his eyeglasses on. He was hovering
with a nervous air in front of a cabinet full of beautiful things, at
which he scarcely glanced.

Seeing Knight approach Annesley, he lifted his head, took a hesitating
step in her direction, and stopped. He looked timid and miserable, yet
obstinate.

"Anita, I've been telling the Duke about that star sapphire I picked up
for you the other day," Knight began. "He says he never saw one with
a