both to remain perfectly quiet until
by word or signal I advise you to act differently."

And, breathless with interest, the three, divided only by the silken
hanging curtains, awaited eagerly further developments of the strange
scene being enacted before them.

Pluma's eyes flashed like ebony fires, and unrestrained passion was
written on every feature of her face, as the woman took her position
directly in front of her with folded arms, and dark eyes gleaming
quite as strangely as her own. Pluma, through sheer astonishment at
her peculiar, deliberate manner, was hushed into strange expectancy.

For some moments the woman gazed into her face, coolly--deliberately--her
eyes fastening themselves on the diamond necklace which clasped her
throat, quivering with a thousand gleaming lights.

"You are well cared for," she said, with a harsh, grating laugh, that
vibrated strangely on the girl's ear. "You have the good things of
life, while I have only the hardships. I am a fool to endure it. I
have come to you to-night to help me--and you must do it."

"Put the key in that door instantly, or I shall cry out for
assistance. I have heard of insolence of beggars, but certainly this
is beyond all imagination. How dare you force your obnoxious presence
upon me? I will not listen to another word; you shall suffer for this
outrage, woman! Open the door instantly, I say."

She did not proceed any further in her breathless defiance of retort;
the woman coolly interrupted her with that strange, grating laugh
again, as she answered, authoritatively:

"I shall not play at cross-purposes with you any longer; it is plainly
evident there is little affection lost between us. You will do exactly
as I say, Pluma; you may spare yourself a great deal that may be
unpleasant--if you not only listen but quietly obey me. Otherwise--"

Pluma sprung wildly to her feet.

"Obey you! obey you!"

She would have screamed the words in her ungovernable rage, had not a
look from this woman's eyes, who used her name with such ill-bred
familiarity, actually frightened her.

"Be sensible and listen to what I intend you shall hear, and, as I
said and repeat, obey. You have made a slight mistake in defying me,
young lady. I hoped and intended to be your friend and adviser; but
since you have taken it into your head to show such an aversion to me,
it will be so much the worse for you, for I fully intend you shall act
hereafter under my instructions; it