Lucian, finding that the dinner hour was at hand, and beginning to fear that Cora might still further commit herself, had thought it wisest to come and see what was the state of her feelings, and endeavor to persuade her to play out her part. He entered the room with some apprehension; but seeing her so composed, came close as she stood before her dressing-glass and said, as he gazed down at the flounce she was busy adjusting: "Now is the time for pluck, Co. You will come down?" Cora gave a last touch to the silk and lace and then, letting the sweeping train fall from her hand, and standing very erect before him, said: "Yes, I shall go down. Do you suppose I will let that man think that I am completely annihilated? There; don't talk to me now! I shall not forget myself again, never fear. But after dinner, come to me here. You were wise enough to bring me into this charming 'corner,' now let your wisdom take me out of it, or I will extricate myself in my own way." Again the iron hand fell upon her shoulder, as her partner in iniquity hissed in her ear: "And I intend that you shall not be a fool! Our game is not lost. Let me once get the lay of the land, and we may win yet." She turned her eyes upon him with angry incredulity. "How, pray?" "Wait and see!" She made no reply, but, taking up her dainty handkerchief, turned to leave the room, motioning him to precede her. In the hall, she paused at the head of the stairs, saying: "Go down; I will come directly." "What are you going to do?" "Go down," she repeated; "I know what I am doing." She went slowly down the hall in the direction of the room before which stood Madeline's luggage that had just arrived from the little station. Lucian gazed after her in some amazement, watched her tap softly, heard the door open, saw her enter the room, and then went slowly down-stairs. CHAPTER XXXVIII. CORA UNDER ORDERS. When Cora entered the room, Madeline Payne stood before her mirror, while her maid, kneeling beside her, arranged the folds of lustrous azure silk that fell about the slender form. The door had been opened by Hagar, who could scarcely keep her eyes off the beautiful face and form of her young mistress, and who was, in consequence, making very slow progress with the work of putting away the garments that had been discarded in favor of the lovely dinner dress. Madeline realized fully that the part she was now playing was even more difficult and distasteful than that which she had abandoned. But she was resolute. To go back now would be worse than death. While she felt a thrill of repugnance as she saw the fair, sensual face of John Arthur's wife reflected in her mirror, she turned with smiling countenance, saying: "Is it you, step-mamma? How kind of you! Am I delaying the dinner?" "No more than I am," smiled Cora, in return. "I thought you might like me to wait for you, as you are so much of a stranger to your old home."