"Then you may consider the little marplot gone. In less than an hour you will see her leaving this hotel followed by Mrs. Desmond's curse," replied Celine, with perfect confidence in her power of executing the task she had undertaken. "What do you mean? How will you accomplish it?" inquired Elinor. "Never mind about that, I will do as I said, never fear. Are you done with me now, Miss Glenalvan? If you are I will go to Mrs. Desmond. She will need me to do her hair." "You may go, Celine," replied the young lady. "Now be sure," a little nervously, "that you do not implicate _me_ in the affair." "Trust me for managing everything all right," was the airy reply. She went out and made her way to the dressing-room of her mistress. Mrs. Desmond was sitting before the dressing-table with a small jewel-casket open in her lap. She was turning over some pretty rings with her white fingers. Celine went up to the table and began to get out the combs and brushes. "Are you ready for me to do your hair?" she inquired. "In a moment," replied Mrs. Desmond. "I am looking over my rings now. I want to select one of the neatest and plainest for a present to someone." Celine simpered and coughed. She fully expected to become the fortunate recipient. "I must confess that I have been mistaken for once," continued Mrs. Desmond, half to herself. "When the girl came here first, I was prejudiced against her, partly because she was so pretty and childish-looking, and again because we had had so many hateful nurses, I thought she must necessarily be like them. But I was for once happily mistaken. She has been so humble and unobtrusive, and endeared herself so much to my little girl, that I must really reward her for her good care of my darling during my absence." "Of whom are you speaking, ma'am?" inquired Celine, green with envy, as the lady paused, having selected a plain, gold band, set with a single, shining, white pearl. "Of Mary Smith," Mrs. Desmond replied, "and I am going to give her this ring in token of my respect for her good character, and my gratitude for the really motherly care which she has taken of my dear, frail, little Ruby." CHAPTER XXIX. At Mrs. Desmond's kindly-spoken words, Celine heaved a deep sigh and remained silent. The lady glanced up at her in some surprise. "What is the matter, Celine?" she inquired. "Do you not think I am right to acknowledge my appreciation of her valuable services?" The maid only sighed more deeply, casting down her eyes as if in great distress. "I hope you are not jealous, Celine," continued her mistress. "You know I have given you many such testimonials of my favor." "Yes, that you have, and I'm not jealous--not a bit, dear mistress," cried Celine; "but, oh, dear, oh, dear! that you should have been so cruelly deceived and betrayed." "Celine, what do you mean?" asked the lady, disturbed.