Pluma Hurlhurst received her father's summons with no little surprise. "What can that foolish old man want, I wonder?" she soliloquized, clasping the diamond-studded bracelets on her perfect arms. "I shall be heartily glad when I am Rex Lyon's wife. I shall soon tell him, then, in pretty plain words, I am not at his beck and call any longer. Come to him instantly, indeed! I shall certainly do no such thing," she muttered. "Did you speak, mademoiselle?" asked the maid. "No," replied Pluma, glancing at the little jeweled watch that glittered in its snow-white velvet case. She took it up with a caressing movement. "How foolish I was to work myself up into such a fury of excitement, when Rex sent for me to present me with the jewels!" she laughed, softly, laying down the watch, and taking up an exquisite jeweled necklace, admired the purity and beauty of the soft, white, gleaming stones. The turret-bell had pealed the hour of eight; she had yet half an hour. She never could tell what impulse prompted her to clasp the shining gems around her white throat, even before she had removed her dressing-robe. She leaned back dreamily in her cushioned chair, watching the effect in the mirror opposite. Steadfastly she gazed at the wondrous loveliness of the picture she made, the dark, lustrous eyes, gleaming with unwonted brilliancy, with their jetty fringe; the rich, red lips, and glowing cheeks. "There are few such faces in the world," she told herself triumphantly. Those were the happiest moments proud, peerless Pluma Hurlhurst was ever to know--"before the hour should wane the fruition of all her hopes would be attained." No feeling of remorse stole over her to imbitter the sweets of her triumphant thoughts. She had lived in a world of her own, planning and scheming, wasting her youth, her beauty, and her genius, to accomplish the one great ultimatum--winning Rex Lyon's love. She took from her bosom a tiny vial, containing a few white, flaky crystals. "I shall not need this now," she told herself. "If Lester Stanwick had intended to interfere he would have done so ere this; he has left me to myself, realizing his threats were all in vain; yet I have been sore afraid. Rex will never know that I lied and schemed to win his love, or that I planned the removal of Daisy Brooks from his path so cleverly; he will never know that I have deceived him, or the wretched story of my folly and passionate, perilous love. I could not have borne the shame and the exposure; there would have been but one escape"--quite unconsciously she slid the vial into the pocket of her silken robe--"I have lived a coward's life; I should have died a coward's death." "It is time to commence arranging your toilet, mademoiselle," said the maid, approaching her softly with the white glimmering satin robe, and fleecy veil over her arm. "My fingers are deft, but you have not one moment to spare." Pluma waved her off with an imperious gesture.