A minute or two later she met Miss Johnson. "Give me something stiff to learn--something that I don't like--to-night, dear Lucy," she said. "I am off for a whole day's holiday, but I shall be back in the evening." "That is very queer," said Miss Johnson. "What does it mean?" "I cannot explain, but Mrs. Ward knows. Be specially kind to dear Maggie, and give me something that I don't like to do when I return." Miss Johnson smiled. "You shall hem some dusters," she said. Aneta made a wry face. "Thanks ever so much," she replied; then she ran upstairs to get ready for her visit. Just before leaving the house she looked in at Maggie. "I'm off, Mags. It's all right. I shall probably see you about tea-time." Before Maggie had time even to expostulate Aneta closed the door, and a minute or two later had stepped into the cab which Agnes had called for her. The cabman was desired to drive Miss Lysle to Lady Lysle's house in Eaton Square. This was accordingly done, and soon after ten o'clock Lady Lysle, who had not yet completed her morning toilet, was most amazed at being informed by her maid that Miss Lysle was waiting for her downstairs. "Aneta! You don't mean Aneta, Purcell?" "Yes, my lady; and she wants to see you in a very great hurry." "Then send her up to me." Purcell disappeared. Lady Lysle wondered what was wrong. Presently Aneta burst into the room. "My dear child," said her aunt, "what can be wrong? Why have you left school? I do hope no illness has broken out there. It would be very inconvenient for me to have you here at present." "There is no illness whatever at the school, Aunt Lucia," said Aneta, going up to her aunt and kissing her; "only there is a girl there, one of my schoolfellows, in a good bit of trouble, and I want to help her, and I have got a day off from Mrs. Ward, who doesn't know why she is giving it to me, but trusts me all the same. And now, auntie, I want you to come with me at once." "Oh my dear child, where?" "To Clapham, auntie." "Clapham! I never stopped at Clapham in my life. I have driven through the place, it is true." "Well, we'll stop there to-day," said Aneta, "at Laburnum Villa, Clapham. I want to see Mrs. Martin, Maggie's mother." "Oh, dear child," said Lady Lysle, "you mean Miss Howland when you speak of Maggie? Now, you know I told you that her stepfather is no relation whatever to the Martyns of The Meadows. I cannot make out why she should have given you to understand that he was. A man who lives at Clapham! Dear Aneta, I would rather be excused."