has spoiled you allowing you to
hold the reins in your own hands unchecked."

"Oh, you horrible creature! I shall have you arrested and--"

The woman interrupted her gasping, vindictive words again, more
imperiously than before.

"Hush! not another word; you will not tell any one a syllable of what
has passed in this room."

"Do you dare threaten me in my own house," cried Pluma, fairly beside
herself with passion. "I begin to believe you are not aware to whom
you are speaking. You shall not force me to listen. I shall raise the
window and cry out to the guests below."

"Very well, then. I find I am compelled to tell you something I never
intended you should know--something that, unless I am greatly mistaken
in my estimate of you, will change your high and mighty notions
altogether."

The woman was bending so near her, her breath almost scorched her
cheek.

"I want money," she said, her thin lips quivering in an evil smile,
"and it is but right that you should supply me with it. Look at the
diamonds, representing a fortune, gleaming on your throat, while I am
lacking the necessaries of life."

"What is that to me?" cried Pluma, scornfully. "Allow me to pass from
the room, and I will send my maid back to you with a twenty-dollar
note. My moments are precious; do not detain me."

The woman laughed contemptuously.

"Twenty dollars, indeed!" she sneered, mockingly. "Twenty thousand
will not answer my purpose. From this time forth I intend to live as
befits a lady. I want that necklace you are wearing, as security that
you will produce the required sum for me before to-morrow night."

The coarse proposal amazed Pluma.

"I thought Whitestone Hall especially guarded against thieves," she
said, steadily. "You seem to be a desperate woman; but I, Pluma
Hurlhurst, do not fear you. We will pass over the remarks you have
just uttered as simply beyond discussion."

With a swift, gliding motion she attempted to reach the bell-rope.
Again the woman intercepted her.

"Arouse the household if you dare!" hissed the woman, tightening her
hold upon the white arm upon which the jewels flashed and quivered.
"If Basil Hurlhurst knew what I know you would be driven from this
house before an hour had passed."

"I--I--do not know what you mean," gasped Pluma, her great courage and
fortitude sinking before this woman's fearlessness and defiant
authority.

"No, you don't know what I mean; and little you thank me for carrying