letter to her husband, representing to him that the danger was very great and imminent, and that he was needed at Broadstone just as soon as he could get there.  Business could be set aside; his wife’s happiness was at stake; for if this unfortunate match should be made, it would be her doing, and it would cloud her whole life.  Of herself she did not know what to do, and if she had known, she could not have done it.  But if he came he would not only know everything, but could do anything.  This indicated her general opinion of Mr. Tom Easterfield.

“Now,” said she to herself, as she fixed an immediate-delivery stamp upon the letter, “that ought to bring him here before lunch to-morrow.”

When Olive saw fit to go to her room Miss Raleigh felt relieved from guard, and went to Mrs. Easterfield to report.  She told that lady everything that had happened, even including her own emotions at various points of the interview.  The amazed Mrs. Easterfield listened with the greatest interest.

“I knew Claude Locker was capable of almost any wild proceeding,” she said, “but I did not think he would do that!”

“There is one thing I forgot,” said the secretary, “and that is that I promised Mr. Locker not to mention a word of what happened.”

“I am very glad,” replied Mrs. Easterfield, “that you remembered that promise after you told me everything, and not before.  You have done admirably so far.”

“And if I have any other opportunities of interpolating myself, so to speak,” said Miss Raleigh, “shall I embrace them?”

Mrs. Easterfield laughed.  “I don’t want you to be too obviously zealous,” she answered.  “I think for the present we may relax our efforts to relieve Miss Asher of annoyance.”  Mrs. Easterfield believed this.  She had faith in Olive; and if that young woman had promised to give Claude Locker another hearing the next day she did not believe that the girl would give anybody else a positive answer before that time.

Miss Raleigh went away not altogether satisfied.  She did not believe in relaxed vigilance; for one thing, it was not interesting.

Olive was surprised when she found that Mr. Lancaster was to stay to dinner, and afterward when she was informed that he had been invited to spend a few days, she reflected.  It looked like some sort of a plan, and what did Mrs. Easterfield mean by it?  She knew the lady of the house had a very good opinion of the young professor, and that might explain the invitation at this particular moment, but still it did look like a plan, and as Olive had no sympathy with plans of this sort she determined not to trouble her head about it.  And to show her non-concern, she was very gracious to Mr. Lancaster, and received her reward in an extremely interesting conversation.

Still Olive reflected, and was not in her usual lively spirits.  Mr. Fox said to Mrs. Fox that it was an abominable shame to allow a crowd of incongruous young men to swarm in upon a country house party, and interfere seriously with the pleasures of intelligent and self-respecting people.