She went to the study, where Miss Hastings and Pauline were busily engaged with some water-colors. She held the open letter in her hand. "Miss Hastings, I have news for you," she said. "I know that all that interested Sir Oswald is full of interest for you. Pauline, you too will be pleased to hear that Captain Langton is coming. Sir Oswald loved him very much." Pauline knew that, and had cause to regret it. "I should be much pleased," continued Lady Darrell, "if, without interfering with your arrangements, you could help me to entertain him." Miss Hastings looked up with a smile of assent. "Anything that lies in my power," she said, "I shall be only too happy to do; but I fear I shall be rather at a loss how to amuse a handsome young officer like Captain Langton." Lady Darrell laughed, but looked much pleased. "You are right," she said--"he is handsome. I do not know that I have ever seen one more handsome." Then she stopped abruptly, for she caught the gleam of Pauline's scornful smile--the dark eyes were looking straight at her. Lady Darrell blushed crimson, and the smile on Pauline's lips deepened. "I see my way now," she said to herself. "Time, fate, and opportunity will combine at last." "And you, Pauline," inquired Lady Darrell, in her most caressing manner--"you will help me with my visitor--will you not?" "Pardon me, I must decline," answered Miss Darrell. "Why, I thought Captain Langton and yourself were great friends!" cried Lady Darrell. "I am not answerable for your thoughts, Lady Darrell," said Pauline. "But you--you sing so beautifully! Oh, Pauline, you must help me!" persisted Lady Darrell. She drew nearer to the girl, and was about to lay one white jeweled hand on her arm, but Pauline drew back with a haughty gesture there was no mistaking. "Pray understand me, Lady Darrell," she said--"all arts and persuasions are, as you know, lost on me. I decline to do anything toward entertaining your visitor, and shall avoid him as much as possible." Lady Darrell looked up, her face pale, and with a frightened look upon it. "Why do you speak so, Pauline? You must have some reason for it. Tell me what it is." No one had ever heard Lady Darrell speak so earnestly before. "Tell me!" she repeated, and her very heart was in the words. "Pardon me if I keep my counsel," said Pauline. "There is wisdom in few words." Then Miss Hastings, always anxious to make peace, said: "Do not be anxious, Lady Darrell; Pauline knows that some of the unpleasantness she had with Sir Oswald was owing to Captain Langton. Perhaps that fact may affect her view of his character." Lady Darrell discreetly retired from the contest. "I am sure you will both do all you can," she said, in her most lively manner. "We must have some charades, and a ball; we shall have plenty of time to talk this over when our guests arrive." And, anxious to go before Pauline said anything more, Lady Darrell quitted the room.