"There is no excuse, auntie, that I can listen to for a single moment. I know all about Maggie's stepfather, and I will tell you as we are driving out to Clapham. You have always let me have my own way, and I have--yes, I have tried to be a good girl; but there is something before me to-day more important and more difficult than I ever tackled yet, and if I can't come to my own aunt--I, who am a motherless girl--for help at this crisis I shall think the world is coming to an end." "What a strange, earnest way you do speak in, Aneta!" "I am very sorry, darling; but I assure you the case is most urgent. You are quite well, aren't you?" "Oh yes, my love; I am never an ailing sort of person." "Well, then, I will send Purcell back to you, and please order the carriage, and please be as quick as possible. We have to go somewhere else after we have done with Mrs. Martin." "Well, Aneta, I always was wax in your hands, and I suppose I must do what you wish. But remember your promise that you will tell me the meaning of this extraordinary thing during our drive to Clapham." "I promise faithfully to tell you what is necessary, for the fact is I want your help. Darling auntie! you are doing about the best work of your life to-day. I knew you would stand by me; I felt certain of it, and I told Maggie so." "That girl!" said Lady Lysle. "I don't care for that girl." "You will change your mind about her presently," said Aneta, and she ran downstairs to request Davidson, the butler, to bring her something to eat, for her breakfast had been slight, and she was quite hungry enough to enjoy some of her aunt's nice food. By-and-by Lady Lysle, looking slim and beautiful, wearing her becoming sables and her toque with its long black ostrich plume, appeared on the scene, and a minute later Davidson announced that the carriage was at the door. The two ladies stepped in, Aneta giving very careful directions to the driver. He expressed some astonishment at the address. "Laburnum Villa, Clapham!" he said. "Martin, Laburnum Villa, Clapham! Clapham's a big place, miss." "I know that," said Aneta; "but that is all the address I can obtain. We must call at the post-office, if necessary, to get the name of the street." The footman sprang into his place, and Aneta and her aunt drove off in the comfortable brougham towards that suburb known as Clapham. "Now, Aneta, I suppose you will tell me what is the meaning of this?" "Yes, I will," said Aneta. "I made a mistake about Maggie, and I am willing to own it. She has been placed in a difficult position. I do not mean for a minute to imply that she has acted in a straight way, for she has not. But there is that in her which will make her the best of girls in the future, as she is one of the cleverest and one of the most charming. Yes, auntie, she has got a great power about her. She is a sort of magnet--she attracts people to her."