Since the night of Jane Oglander's arrival at Rede Place, the night when Jane had behaved, so Athena now reminded herself, so queerly, the two women had never discussed Jane and Lingard's engagement--indeed, they hardly ever found themselves alone together. This, of course, was Jane's fault quite as much as hers. Now at last had come the opportunity to--to "have it out" with Jane; to defend herself, if need be, from any charge of disloyalty. * * * * * It took Mrs. Maule a considerable time to find her friend. Miss Oglander was in none of the usual living-rooms, neither was she in her own room or with Richard. Was it possible that Jane had gone off for the day to the Small Farm in order to avoid the very explanation Athena wished to provoke? That was a disturbing thought. And then, unexpectedly, she ran Jane to earth in a corner of the large library which only Dick Wantele habitually used, and which was at the extreme end of the house, furthest away from Mrs. Maule's boudoir. "I've been looking for you everywhere," she exclaimed. "What made you hide yourself here, Jane?" "Dick wanted something copied out of a book, and I thought I would do it now." There was a look of fear, of painful constraint, in Jane Oglander's face; and as she came forward she kept the book she had been holding, a manual on practical cottage architecture, in her hand, open. "There are such heaps of things I want to say to you, Jane, and somehow we never seem to have a moment!" Jane looked into Athena's face--it was a penetrating, questioning look. Was it possible--perhaps it was possible--that Athena was speaking in good faith? The other hurried on, a little breathlessly: "Of course I want to hear all about your plans. I know you mean to be married quietly in London----" She vaguely remembered that Jane had said something to that effect during their one conversation together. "But what will you do afterwards? Hew is not obliged to take up his new appointment yet, is he?" There was a long pause--and then, "I don't know exactly what he means to do," Jane answered in a low voice. They were both standing before the fireplace; Jane Oglander was looking straight at Athena, but Athena's lovely head was bent down. "Haven't you thought about it? But I suppose you'll pay some visits first." There was a touch of sharp envy in Athena Maule's voice. It was absurd, it was irritating, to think that Jane, even if only for a short time longer, would be Hew Lingard's companion, sharer in his triumphal progress--unless of course something could bring about the end of their engagement--soon. "I meant I did not know about his appointment." In each of the letters he had written to Jane during the ten days they had been apart, Hew Lingard had discussed the possibility of his being offered an immediate appointment, but she was only now being made aware that the offer had actually been made. As a matter of fact, it had not been made.