Somehow or other, Celia was relieved that she was not asked to dine with

the family; for she had feared that she might have to do so. She had her

dinner in her own room as usual, and afterwards went into the library to

do a little work; but she had scarcely commenced when she heard a knock

at the door, and a fashionably-dressed young woman entered. As she rose,

Celia knew that it was Lord Heyton's wife, and she regarded the

beautiful face and exquisitely-clad figure with all a woman's admiration

for a lovely specimen of her own sex.

"Oh, may I come in?" said Lady Heyton. "I shan't disturb you, Miss

Grant? I do so want to see you. The Marquess has been telling us about

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you. What a handsome room! May I sit down--you're sure I shan't disturb

you, be a nuisance?"

"Oh, no," replied Celia, pushing forward one of the antique but

comfortable chairs.

Lady Heyton seated herself, looked round her, and then fixed her eyes on

Celia's face, curiously.

"And so you are the lady librarian; and this is where you work? How

charming! Why didn't you come in to dinner to-night?" she asked,

abruptly.

"I dine alone, in that room," replied Celia, colouring slightly.

"How quaint!" remarked Lady Heyton, with a little shrug. "I shall ask

the Marquess whether you can't dine with us; you will be company for me.

It was rather dull this evening, and I was terribly bored. It's the

first time I've been here, you know; the first time I've seen the

Marquess, in fact. Don't you find this great big place rather--rather

depressing?" She gave a little shudder, and held out her ring-laden

hands towards the fire. "I suppose it's because the house is so old, and

there are so few people in it.--But tell me about yourself. You're very

young, and--yes, you're exceedingly good-looking. Do you mind my telling

you so?"

"Not at all," said Celia, with a smile. "I wish the information was as

accurate as it is candid. No, I don't find the house dull. I'm very

busy, you see."

"Ah, that makes a difference, I suppose," said Miriam, leaning back and

barely concealing a yawn with her hand. "I'm afraid I shall be bored to

death if we stay here long. You know, I've only been married a short

time, and I hate being bothered."

Celia noted the petulant droop of the almost perfect lips, the faint

lines of weariness which trailed from the corners of them, noted the

weakness of the chin, the restlessness of the blue eyes which shone like

amethysts in the firelight; it was evident to Celia that this beautiful,

graceful young creature was not a happy woman. She did not know how

much, since her marriage, Miriam had deteriorated, mentally and

spiritually. One cannot touch pitch and escape undefiled.




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