Here Michael saw that Otho fixed his eyes upon Magdalen’s face, and without speaking, offered her his arm. Michael watched, with a neutral but strong interest, to see what she would do. She took the offered arm, without any smile, certainly, but without any appearance of being angry or offended. Neither of them spoke. They dropped behind Gilbert and Eleanor, who were also arm in arm. Then when they stood outside, Michael, pausing to see if Roger would join him again, heard Miss Askam’s voice— ‘There is our carriage. We had better let it go round again, and wait till Miss Wynter has got off, as she is alone.’ ‘No,’ said Otho, signing to the Thorsgarth coachman to stop. ‘You get in, Eleanor; Langstroth will look after you. I’m going to see Magdalen home.’ ‘_Otho!_’ exclaimed his sister, in a vehement whisper, ‘how _can_ you behave in this manner?’ But Magdalen appeared to accept the announcement with the utmost calm, saying— ‘Well, there is the carriage, Otho, coming after yours.’ Then Michael saw how Gilbert led Eleanor, who looked like a person in a dream, to her carriage; handed her in, followed her, and they were driven away. Michael, before stepping forth himself, gave a glance at the figures of the other two; saw Otho say something with a laugh to Magdalen. Then the Balder Hall brougham drove up. Michael waited no longer. It was evident that Roger must have gone when Ada did. It was useless to wait for him, and he took his way home. CHAPTER XXV IN THE ANTE-ROOM When the Thorsgarth party arrived at the concert-room, before all the disturbance had taken place, Magdalen went straight to that waiting-room where the performers sat, and which was just behind the platform. She walked quickly thither, and did not know, until she had entered the room, that Otho had followed her. But on turning to close the door, she saw him there, and he walked in after her, not looking at her at all, but casting a quick glance round the room, to see who might be already present. Those who were there, were Ada Dixon, and one or two other girls who belonged to the choir, and were going to assist in the part-songs. Ada looked very pretty, if a little commonplace and vulgar, in her blue frock, and white fleecy shawl. She sat apart from her companions in solitary dignity, and appeared to be studying her song; and it was in this situation that Magdalen and Otho found her. Ada looked up as they came in, and rose with a heightened colour. Magdalen took no notice of Otho, but shook hands with Ada. ‘Well, Ada, how are you, and how is your song?’ ‘Oh, I’m ready with mine, thank you, Miss Wynter; and there’s no need to ask you about yours.’ ‘Good evening, Miss Dixon,’ here said Otho, and he too advanced, and shook hands with her. Ada looked both alarmed and conscious. He had never done this before—at least, in Magdalen’s presence.