Jane hesitated. She saw that her chances of an interview with Mrs. Judson were very small, but still the temptation to see more of the house had its force. “Oh, don’t let me drive your friend away!” said the girl they called Maria, settling her apron with great nicety. “I would not have spoken for the world if I had dreamed of such a thing.” “I am not going away, thank you,” answered Jane, with a fling of the head which delighted her friend. “Ellen wants me to go up-stairs with her, and I’m agoing.” Now, the girl Maria did not care a fig where either Ellen or her friend went, so long as they left the servants’ parlor to her and Mr. Simpson, who had with his own white-gloved hands put away some dainties for this special occasion. These dainties the two had no idea of sharing with any one, much less had Maria the least intention of giving a portion of Mr. Simpson’s society to either of the two females whom, much to her disgust, she had found in occupation when she came into the parlor. “Dear me, I’m so afraid I’ve disturbed you! hadn’t the least intention of doing it; perhaps I had better go up-stairs again.” Here Maria seated herself in a rocking-chair, shook out her dress, made herself generally comfortable, and concealed a yawn behind her hand. “That’s just like her,” said Ellen, as she went up-stairs with her guest. “She thinks there is nobody on earth but herself; just as if Mr. Simpson ever asked her; she don’t wait for that, let me tell you.” “I should like to have her for a patient, that’s all,” said Jane Kelly, giving her hand a fierce grip. “Wouldn’t I let her beg for drink? Oh, no!” “Hush!” whispered Ellen; “we are close by the dressing-room—some one may be there.” Jane became silent on the instant, and walking almost on tiptoe, followed her friend along the upper hall. CHAPTER XII. THE CONFERENCE IN MRS. JUDSON’S CHAMBER. Ellen opened a door at the upper end of the hall, and Jane Kelly found herself in a spacious chamber, brilliantly lighted, with a broad, tall mirror rising from floor to ceiling, and a Psyche glass swinging between gilded supporters, in which she saw herself from head to foot. Several easy-chairs, shrouded in white linen, stood about the room, and a bed, canopied with lace and crimson satin, was laden down with loose garments, which betokened the presence of ladies enough for a large dinner-party. On the dressing-table, toilet articles lay about as if but recently used. Combs and ivory-handled brushes, carved into richness, were scattered over the white marble, and on a table close by, an elaborate dressing-case stood open with all its crystal flasks and cases exposed, glittering with gold, and, in some instances, surmounted with exquisite cameos that might have befitted a lady’s necklace.