Maud's eyes flashed when she heard the name of her rival, and she ordered the man to lead the guest at once to the long drawing-room. Miss Ellis was desperately anxious to see the face that had captured the heart of George Walker. Before repairing to the drawing-room, she altered a few things about her dress, for, being very much the woman, she knew that she was about to meet a dangerous foe. A man would not notice a dress overmuch, but a woman would, at the very first glance, and Maud was determined that there should be no flaw in her armour, so far as frocks and frills went. Lesbia, very pale, but quite calm, waited impatiently for the appearance of Miss Ellis. When that young lady sailed into the room with outstretched hands and a beaming smile, Lesbia rose with a stony face and a cold, distant manner. Maud's hands fell, when she saw that she was being kept at a distance, and she became formal also. In her heart she grew angry, when she saw Lesbia's beauty, for being very sensible, she knew that her own looks were much inferior. A shade passed over her face, but soon was replaced by a malicious smile. Maud knew that, beauty or no beauty, she held the trump card and could win the game at her leisure. Lesbia saw that smile. "I know why you look like that," she said abruptly. Maud straightened her neat figure, and raised her sandy eyebrows. "What a very strange speech to make at our first meeting, Miss Hale!" she said, coldly and superciliously. "Ah," retorted Lesbia. "You see that I am not used to society." "Is there any occasion to tell me that?" asked Maud, sweetly. But Lesbia was too desperately in earnest to be daunted by such feline talk. "There is no occasion to tell you many things," she said, "nor is there need for beating about the bush. My father has told me everything." "About what may I ask?" "About this burglary and about George." "George?" Miss Ellis raised her eyebrows again. "George?" she repeated. "I have the right to call him so," rejoined Lesbia hotly. "I am engaged to him, Miss Ellis." "Was engaged, I understand." "Yes." Lesbia suddenly looked fatigued and would have dearly liked to sit down, but pride prevented her. Maud saw this and scratched again. "Won't you sit down?" "No, thank you!" replied Lesbia, stiffening. "I am only here for a few minutes, and can say all that I have to say in that time." Miss Ellis flicked a scented handkerchief across her lips to hide a smile, and looked searchingly at her visitor's white face. "I really don't know why you talk to me like this." "Oh, yes you do. In the same way I knew why you smiled when you entered. You think that you can win the game. But you shan't!" "What game?" "The game we play for George. My father has told me all. I love George and you love him also." "Your father seems to be very well-informed," sneered Maud, flushing.