ything. I hope I make myself clear."

"Oh, yes, Mrs. Gosnold!"

"And--attend to me--you're not to give Adele--or Walter, either, when
he gets here, any reason to suspect you've confided in me. I wish
everything to go on precisely as it has been going--so far as they
can see. Avoid them as much as possible; when it isn't possible,
give them a dose of their own medicine if necessary--I mean, lie.
There's an explosion coming, but I don't wish it to happen until I'm
sure who and what are going to be blown sky-high, and I am quite
prepared to stand by and enjoy the fireworks. Meantime, don't let
anybody frighten you; no matter how serious matters may seem or be
represented to you, rely implicitly on me. And whatever is said to you
that seems of any consequence--or if you should see anything--find
some way to report quickly to me. Now what did you say you did with
that jewel-case Adele gave you?"

Sally repeated her account of its hiding-place.

"You didn't unwrap it, you say. Well and good!" Mrs. Gosnold nodded
intently. "Then don't; leave it as it is, and some time to-day, if I
can manage without being observed, I'll drop into your room and have a
look at the box myself. But you are on no consideration whatever to
touch it until I give you leave."

"I understand."

"If Adele and Walter want to know what you've done with it, tell them
the truth--you've done nothing. Say you've not yet found a good chance
to. Tell them where it is, but assure them it's perfectly safe there."

"Yes, Mrs. Gosnold."

Momentarily the older woman was lost in a reverie of semimalicious
cast, to judge by the smile that faintly shadowed the firm lines of
her handsome face.

"A surprise patty . . ." she observed obscurely.

Of a sudden, with a sort of snap, she roused herself back to more
immediate issues. "Oh, come! the morning almost gone already and
nothing accomplished! Off with you! But before you go, do, for
goodness' sake, attend to your eyes; if some one were to see you going
through the halls the way you are--it might be ruinous. Bathe them
with cold water in the bath-room there--and you'll find plenty of
powder and stuff on my dressing-table."

And while Sally hastened to profit by this advice, the other pursued:
"You should school yourself never to cry, my girl. You're too
sensitive and emotional by half. If you go on this way, at the least
excuse--great Heavens! what a moist married life you'll lead! Now let
me look at you.