Nearly an hour later Maggie Oliphant arrived. She was also in white, but without any ornament, except a solitary diamond star which blazed in the rich coils of her hair. The beautiful Miss Oliphant was received with enthusiasm. Until her arrival Rose had been the undoubted _belle_ of the evening, but beside Maggie the _petite_ charms which Rose possessed sank out of sight. Maggie herself never felt less conscious of beauty; the heaviness of her heart made her cheeks look pale and gave her brown eyes a languid expression; she was indifferent to the admiration which greeted her. The admiration which greeted her gave her a momentary feeling of surprise— almost of displeasure. Meta Elliot-Smith and her mother buzzed round Maggie and expressed their gratitude to her for coming. “We expect a friend of yours to arrive presently,” said Meta— “Mr. Hammond. You know Mr. Hammond, don’t you? I have had a note from him. He says he will look in as soon after ten as possible. I am so glad; I was dreadfully afraid he couldn’t come, for he had to go suddenly into the country at the beginning of this week. You know Mr. Hammond very well, don’t you, Miss Oliphant?” “Yes,” replied Maggie in her careless voice; “he is quite an old friend of mine.” “You will be glad to see him?” “Very glad.” Meta looked at her in a puzzled way. Reports of Hammond’s love affair had reached her ears. She had expected to see emotion and confusion on Maggie’s face; it looked bright and pleased. Her “very glad” had a genuine ring about it. “I am so delighted he is coming!” repeated Meta. “I do trust he will be here in good time.” She led Miss Oliphant to a prominent seat at the top of the room as she spoke. “I shall have to leave soon after ten,” replied Maggie, “so, if Mr. Hammond cannot arrive until after that hour, I shall not have the pleasure of seeing him.” “Oh, but you must really stay later than that; it would be too cruel to leave us so early.” “I am afraid I cannot. The gates are closed at St. Benet’s at eleven o’clock, and I do not care to remain out until the last moment.” Meta was obliged, with great reluctance, to leave her guest, and a moment later Annie Day came up eagerly to Maggie’s side. “It’s all right,” she said, drawing Miss Oliphant into the shelter of a window; “I have found out all I want to know.” “What is that?” asked Maggie. “Rosalind Merton is the thief.” “Miss Day, how can you say such dreadful things?”