She said no more just then, for Toni's manner displayed her displeasure; but Eva smiled again when she was alone; and her warped and twisted mind seized eagerly on the idea of the very amusing situation which a little careful engineering might bring to pass. Like all true intriguers, Eva kept her thoughts to herself; and Toni had not the faintest idea of the plans which her so-called friend turned about in her mind as the autumn days glided swiftly by under the golden and blue skies of a perfect season. CHAPTER XXII Owen and his wife were sitting at dinner one evening when a note was brought to Owen whose contents brought an angry exclamation to his lips as he, read. "By gad, Toni, this is a bit thick! What the devil does the woman mean?" Toni, suddenly pale, bit her lips, while her eyes filled with apprehension. "I ... who is it from, Owen? What does it say?" "There--read it yourself," said Owen, throwing the blue-grey sheet across the table. "I suppose there is some explanation, though I confess I can't understand it--yet." Still deadly pale, her eyes shining like blue jewels, Toni took up the sheet and read the letter which Lady Martin had written with so much satisfaction a couple of hours earlier. "DEAR MR. ROSE, "After the occurrence of this afternoon I am sure you will see the advisability of Mrs. Rose's resignation from the Badminton Club. It is with great regret that I suggest this course; but after the scene which took place this afternoon, in the presence of a dozen members and several visitors, among them Lady Saxonby, a former friend of your own, I speak for the Committee when I request you to advise your wife to resign for the present season at least." Toni laid the paper quietly down on the table and spoke to Owen with a mingling of terror and defiance in her tone. "Well?" "Well?" Owen reached across the table and picked up the letter. "What is all this about, Toni? Why should you be requested to resign?" "I don't know"--Toni began in a lifeless voice; then suddenly--"yes, I do know. It's all a plot of Lady Martin's and Mrs. Madgwick's. They hate me, I always told you so--and now they want to make you hate me too." "But what happened this afternoon?" "Oh, it's a long story." Toni spoke recklessly. "To begin with, I was elected to the Club a long time ago--in September; and when Mrs. Herrick came home she wanted to be a member too. I tried to get her in, but they didn't want her----" "Of course not." Owen frowned. "You never seem to understand, Toni, that all people are not so unworldly as you. It was a mistake for Mrs. Herrick to attempt to enter a private club of that sort so soon. She should have waited until the scandal had blown over." "Well, she was very disappointed about it. But every member can take a friend in once a month, so I took Eva this afternoon." She broke off in dismay.