from her before
she had obtained light upon his relations with Sibyl. She believed
herself irresistible if she chose to put forth all her power. With two
men, dangerous both of them, she had played the game of her own
interests, played it safely, and for a long time; she made them her
instruments, mocking at their hopes, holding them at arm's-length, in
spite of all their craft and their vehemence. Only a very clever woman
could do this. In giddiness of self-admiration, she felt everything to
be possible. Boldness was necessary--far more boldness than she had yet
dared to use. The rivalry of such a woman as Sibyl could not be
despised; it threatened her ambitions. But in the struggle now to be
decided she had a supreme advantage; for Sibyl, having gained her
object, assuredly had paid its price. Hence her pretended absorption in
study, hence the revival of her friendliness; what were these things
but blinds to mislead the only woman whose observation she had much
reason to fear?

How astonishing it now seemed to her that she could have accepted such
shallow explanations of Redgrave's partnership with Hugh Carnaby! Why,
Harvey himself, least suspicious of men, was perplexed, and avowed his
inability to understand it. As for Mrs. Strangeways--a woman of the
world, if there was one--the fact had but to be mentioned to her, and
on the moment she saw its meaning. No wonder the matter had been kept
so quiet. But for the honesty of the duped husband no one at all would
have heard of it.

Arriving at the house a little before her time, she found her hostess a
prey to vexation.

'My dear, he can't come. It's most annoying. Only an hour ago I had a
telegram--look----'

The despatch was from Coventry: 'Don't expect me. Detained on business.
Redgrave.' It rustled in Alma's hand, and she had much ado to keep
herself from tears of angry chagrin.

'He had promised to be here,' went on Mrs. Strangeways. 'I thought
nothing would have kept him away.'

'Do you mean,' asked Alma bluntly, 'that he knew I was coming?'

'I had said that I half expected you. Don't be vexed, dear. I did so
wish you to meet.'

'If he's at Coventry,' Alma continued, 'it must be on _that_ business.'

'It seems likely. Do sit down. You still look anything but yourself.
Pray, pray remember that you have only a day or two----'

'Don't worry me, please,' said Alma, with a contemptuous gesture.

She had thrown off reserve, caring only, now the first step