s of friendship. Her heart burned
within her; she was pallid, and her eyes shone fiercely.

'I came to ask if you could tell me where Mrs. Strangeways is to be
found?'

'Mrs. Strangeways?' Sibyl repeated, with cold surprise. 'I know nothing
about her.'

Feeling in every way at a disadvantage--contrast of costume told in
Sibyl's favour, and it was enhanced by the perfection of her
self-command--Alma could not maintain the mockery of politeness.

'Of course, you say that,' she rejoined haughtily; 'and, of course, I
don't believe it.'

'That is nothing to me, Mrs. Rolfe,' remarked the other, smiling.
'Doubtless you have your own reasons for declining to believe me; just
as you have your own reasons for--other things. Your next inquiry?'

'Hasn't it been rather unwise of you, keeping away from me all this
time?'

'Unwise? I hardly see your meaning.'

'It looked rather as if you felt afraid to meet me.'

'I see; that is your point of view.' Sibyl seemed to reflect upon it
calmly. 'To me, on the other hand, it appeared rather strange that I
neither saw nor heard from you at a time when other friends were
showing their sympathy. I heard that you were ill for a short time, and
felt sorry I was unable to call. Later, you still kept silence. I
didn't know the reason, and could hardly be expected to ask for it. As
for being afraid to meet you--that, I suppose, is a suspicion natural
to your mind. We won't discuss it. Is there any other question you
would like to ask?'

Humiliated by her inability to reply with anything but a charge she
could not support, and fearing the violence of her emotions if she were
longer subjected to this frigid insult, Alma rose.

'One moment, if you please,' continued Mrs. Carnaby. 'I was glad that
you had come, as I had half wished for an opportunity of speaking a few
words to you. It isn't a matter of much importance, but I may as well
say, perhaps, that you are indiscreet in your way of talking about me
to your friends. Of course, we haven't many acquaintances in common,
but I happen to have heard the opinion of me which you expressed
to--let me see, some ladies named Leach, whom I once knew slightly. It
seems hardly worth while to take serious steps in the matter--though I
might find it necessary. I only wish, in your own interest, to say a
word of warning. You have behaved, all things considered'--she dwelt on
the phrase--'rather indiscreetly.'

'I said what I knew to be the truth,'