ide my things, and see me rushing about searching desperately in every
corner. I'm good sport, I suppose, because I'm so easily roused.
Things affect me more than other people, because I'm so sensitive. I'm
like--"

"An Aeolian harp--I know! I've heard the comparison before," said
Nancy, with a quiet nod of the head which was infinitely exasperating.
Dreda stamped her foot upon the floor.

"Have you hidden my brooch or have you not? Answer me this moment! I
have not time to waste."

Nancy rose to her feet and selected a hair ribbon from a drawer with an
air of unruffled composure.

"I'm sorry, but I find myself unable to oblige you. If I am the person
who has been playing tricks with your things all this time, you can
hardly expect me to prove my guilt out of my own mouth. On the other
hand, if I am innocent--"

"Well?"

"Then I should naturally be too proud and wounded to vindicate my
honour!"

Dreda stood irresolute--swayed one moment towards penitence, the next to
anger. From the farther end of the room Susan mutely gesticulated
appeals for peace. What would have happened next it is impossible to
say, for at that moment a knock sounded at the door, and a voice cried:

"Miss Saxon. Wanted, please! In the drawing-room."

No need to inquire the meaning of that summons! Dreda flew breathlessly
downstairs, and in the moment of opening the drawing-room door beheld
her four dear visitors standing in the alcove made by a rounded window--
father, mother, and two sisters. Such darlings--such darlings; so
infinitely more attractive than the other relations with whom the room
was full! Father was handsomer than ever, mother so sweet and elegant,
Maud was for the moment quite animated, while Rowena in her blue dress
and ermine furs was a beauty--so dazzling a beauty, and withal so sweet,
and bright, and womanly in expression, that the schoolgirl sister was
breathless with admiration. When the first greetings were over and the
parents were talking to Miss Drake, Dreda slipped her hand within
Rowena's arm, and gave it a rapturous squeeze.

"Ro, you are lovely! Everybody is staring at you, and I'm just bursting
with pride... You dear old thing! What have you done with yourself to
look so nice? You are fifty times prettier than you were!"

"Oh, Dreda! Am I--am I, really? I'm so glad!" cried Rowena, smiling.
But Dreda noticed with amazement that she didn't seem a bit conceited;
if such a curious thin