"Can I come to supper?" "No," said Mrs. Pelham Odin quickly, "you must leave the matter in my hands to explain. I like the centre of the stage, you know, and all the limelight that I can obtain." "You will speak to Tod and Charity?" "Yes; and will do my best to obtain their consent. I'll let you know by post what they say; provided," added the actress with emphasis, "that you will not see Mr. Macandrew in the meantime." "Why not? I want to ask him----" "One thing at a time. If this plot is to be carried through I must have the sole handling of it, so I do not wish you and Mr. Macandrew to discuss the matter. If they are agreeable to marry and slip away quietly out of the kingdom, leaving Mavis to take Charity's place at the Belver Theatre, I shall let you know. Then, when this girl arrives in London, wire me when you will bring her. She must stop here." "But the people of the house will see two Charitys," remonstrated Gerald, "and, as an account of the crime will be in the papers, Mavis may be given away by some of your servants." Mrs. Pelham Odin nodded. "True," she said, with her sharp eyes on the carpet, "well, then, you must take Mavis to your rooms." "Worse and worse: Rebb would hear of it." "There is Mr. Macandrew's office, of course. Yes." Mrs. Pelham Odin dropped her fan with an air of decision. "Take Mavis there, closely veiled. I shall bring Charity also veiled. Should we settle to carry through this plot, I can arrange for Charity to board somewhere, and Mavis can come back here as Charity. And then---- Oh, it's all right. I begin to see my way. Good-night." "Good-night, and thank you. Your kindness will not be unrewarded." "No," she laughed--"three thousand a year is worth working for." "I don't believe that you think of that." "Not solely, of course. I want to help you and to see you happy. Also I am very sorry for this poor girl, and Major Rebb is a man I hate. But the three thousand a year for Charity also forms an element. Mixed motives, you understand--very mixed. So once more, good-night." Gerald took his departure very much cheered at having brushed away another obstacle from the path which was to lead Mavis to the altar. He knew that Mrs. Pelham Odin was both a clever and an obstinate woman, and although he did not credit her with money-grubbing, yet he felt convinced that she would not surrender Charity's chance of getting three thousand a year, if she could help it, since she would indirectly participate in such good fortune. Also Tod, for the same reason, would be anxious to assist--though Tod was not a miser either. On the whole, Haskins was very satisfied, and having done all that he could do he waited patiently for the arrival of the _Seamew_ at Gravesend with Mavis on board.