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"We shall have to dine alone," she said, striving to make her voice natural, as she reached the door

Then once more she raised her eyes to his, and looked him bravely in the face as he stood by the fire

"Do just as you like about dressing," she said "I expect you're tired"

She could bear it no more She went out without another word, passed steadily across the length of the landing to her own room, locked the door, and threw herself on her knees

III

She was roused by a tap on the door--how ony was passed for the present--the repulsion and the horror of what she had seen Perhaps it was that she did not yet understand the whole truth But at least her as doht with fear alone, and walks, white and tre table

She opened the door; and Susan stood there with a candle in one hand and a scrap of white in the other

"For you, miss," said the maid

Maggie took it without a word, and read the naht the lamp out here," she said "Ohand, by the way, send Charlotte to Mrs Baxter at once"

"Yes,her, as if with an unspoken question There was terror too in her eyes

"Mr Laurie is not very well," said Maggie steadily "Please take no notice of anything Andand, Susan, I think I shall dine alone this evening, just a tray up here will do If Mr Laurie says anything, just explain that I a after Mrs Baxter And Susan--"

"Yes, miss"

"Please see that Mrs Baxter is not told that I aie still stood an instant, hesitating Then a thought recurred again

"One mo-table, beckoning the maid to come inside and shut the door; then she wrote rapidly for a ave it to the girl

"Just send up someone at once, will you, with this to Father Mahon--on a bicycle"

When theacross the dark landing, expectant of soht showed only under the door where the boy as called Laurie Baxter stood or sat At least he was not ie tested her power of resisting panic Panic was the one fatal thing: so much she understood Even if that silent door had opened, she knew she could stand there still