The dinner ended with a discussion between Knight and Constance as to how the Countess de Santiago could be induced to pay a visit to Valley House, despite the fact that she had never met Lord and Lady Annesley-Seton. Like most women who had lived in Spanish countries, the Countess was rather a "stickler for etiquette," her friend Nelson Smith announced. Besides, her experience as an "amateur clairvoyante" made her quick to resent anything which had the air of patronage. One must go delicately to work to think out a scheme, if Lady Annesley-Seton were really in "dead earnest" about wanting her to come. At this point Knight reflected for a minute, while everyone hung upon his silence; and at last he had an inspiration: "I'll tell you what we can do!" he exclaimed. "My wife and I--you're willing, aren't you, Anita?--can ask her to stay over this week-end with us. I think she'll come if she isn't engaged; and we can invite you to meet her at dinner." "Oh, you must invite us _all_!" pleaded a pretty woman sitting next to Knight. "All of you who care to come, certainly," he agreed. "Won't we, Anita?" "Oh, of course. It will be splendid if everybody will dine with us!" Annesley backed him up with one of the girlish blushes that made her seem so young and ingenuously attractive. "We can--send a telegram to the Countess." She did her best to speak enthusiastically, and succeeded. No one save Knight and Constance guessed it was an effort. Knight saw, and was grateful. Constance saw also, and smiled to herself at what she fancied was the girl's jealousy of an old friend of the new husband--an old friend who was "one of the most beautiful women" the girl had seen. Annesley's hesitation inclined Constance to be more interested than ever in the Countess de Santiago. CHAPTER XII THE CRYSTAL Motoring back from Valley House to the Knowle Hotel, Annesley was asking herself whether she might dare refer to the _Monarchic_, and mention the story she had read In the _Morning Post_. She burned to do so, yet stopped each time a question pressed to her lips, remembering Knight's eyes as he had looked at the Countess in the Savoy restaurant the day before the wedding. Perhaps the wish would have conquered if some imp had not whispered, "What about that purple envelope, addressed in a woman's handwriting? Maybe it was from _her_, hinting to see him again, and that is what has put this plan into his head. Perhaps he brought up the subject of the Countess on purpose to make them invite her here!"