She was racking her brains as to how she should raise the money for Victor Lamont in a half hour's time, in order to save herself from the exposure that would be sure to follow if she failed to do so. She was driven to extremities. Yes, there was no other way but to borrow it from some of the guests she knew, and this could not be accomplished without Antoinette's assistance. By the time the girl returned, she had made up her mind as to what course she would pursue. To-day's work would put her forever in the French maid's power; but there was no help for it--none whatever. "Antoinette," she said in an unsteady voice, as soon as she had drained the wine the maid had brought, "I am in trouble, and I want you to help me." "You can rely upon me, my lady," replied the girl. "I will do anything in the world for you, and tell no one." "You are very good," murmured her young mistress incoherently. "I--I have lost something valuable belonging to my husband. It will take a great deal of money to replace it, and it must be replaced at once, before he misses it. To do this, I am obliged to borrow money until I get my next allowance from him. There are several persons in the hotel who would willingly loan me the money if they but knew of my predicament. I must see one after another in that little private parlor off the reception-room, until I have secured the amount I need. You will bring them to me." "I understand, my lady," nodded the maid. Flushed, and trembling with excitement, Sally stepped down to the private parlor, after giving Antoinette a score of names on a slip of paper. One by one, the clever French maid conducted the persons she had been sent in search of to her mistress. Each gentleman listened in surprise to the appeal young Mrs. Gardiner made to them--she the bride of a man worth millions. In most instances, the gentlemen carried large sums of money with them, and their hands flew to their well-filled pockets at once. They would be only too pleased, they declared. How much would she need? Sally named as large a sum as she thought each of them could stand, and in less than half an hour she had the full amount which Victor Lamont had said he must have. CHAPTER XLI. "Now send Mr. Lamont to me here without delay," she said to Antoinette. The girl did not have to do much searching. Mr. Lamont was in the corridor. He hastened to answer the summons with alacrity. "There is the money," cried Sally, almost swooning from excitement. "Thirty thousand dollars, and----" "By George! you are a trump, my dear!" exclaimed Victor Lamont, restraining himself by the greatest effort from uttering a wild whoop of delight. "That was splendidly done!" Sally looked the disgust that swept over her. "I have it all to pay back within three months," she said. "You have forgotten that, it seems, Mr. Lamont, and by that time I shall expect you to have procured the money to reimburse these gentlemen." Victor Lamont laughed a sarcastic laugh.