tle attention to what she was saying. 'I dare say he wouldn't
mind much, one way or another.'

'Indeed?'

The intimate significance of this word warned Alma that she had spoken
too carelessly. She hastened to add that, of course, in such a matter,
her husband's wish would be final, and that she had never thought of
seeking his opinion on the subject.

'If ever you _should_ take that step, my dear, it will mean a great
triumph for you--oh! a great triumph! And there is room just now for a
lady violinist--don't you think? One has to take into account other
things besides mastery of the instrument; with the public naturally, a
beautiful face and a perfect figure----'

This was too much even for Alma's greediness of flattery; she
interrupted the smooth, warm adulation with impatient protest and told
herself--though she did not quite know the reason--that after that day
she would see less of Mrs. Strangeways.

The carriage stopped. Glancing to either side, Alma saw that they were
in a country road, its darkness broken at this spot by the rays of two
gas-lamps which flanked a gateway. The footman had alighted; the gate
was thrown open; the carriage passed through on to a gravel drive. Her
nerves strung almost beyond endurance, and even now seeking courage to
refuse to enter the house, Alma felt the vehicle turn on a sharp curve,
and stop.

'We shall not be more than a minute,' said Mrs. Strangeways, just above
her breath, as though she spoke with effort.

Involuntarily, Alma laid a hand on her arm

'I will--wait for you here--please----'

'But, dear, your promise! Oh, you wouldn't fail me?'

The carriage door had opened; the footman stood beside it. Scarce
knowing what she did, Alma stepped out after her companion, and in the
same moment found a glow of light poured suddenly about her; it came
from the entrance-hall of a house, where a female servant had presented
herself. A house of unusual construction, with pillars and a veranda;
nothing more was observable by her dazzled and confused senses. Mrs
Strangeways said something to the servant; they entered, crossed a
floor of smooth tiles, under electric light ruby-coloured by glass
shades, and were led into a room illumined only by a fire until the
servant turned on a soft radiance like that in the hall.

Mrs. Strangeways glanced about her as if surprised.

'You are riot expecting Mr. Redgrave?' she said quickly.

'No, madam. We always have fires against the da