"Oh, indeed, did she? How intelligent."
"But she says we mustn't mention her name to the police."
"She'd be lumped with common or garden palmists and fortune-tellers, I suppose."
"Yes, that's what she fears. But she wants to be in our Devonshire house party at Easter—to save us from something."
Knight looked interested. "Save us from what?"
"She couldn't see it distinctly in the crystal."
He laughed. "She could see distinctly that she wanted to be there. Well—we hadn't thought of having her. She seemed out of the picture with the lot who are coming—the Duchess of Peebles, for instance. But we'll think it over. Why don't you ask Anita? It occurs to me that she is the one to be consulted."
Now was the moment for Madalena's test.
"The Countess wished me to speak to you alone, and let you decide. Probably because you're such an old friend. I think she feels that Anita doesn't care for her."
Knight's face hardened. "She gave you that impression, did she? Yet, thinking Anita doesn't like her—and she's nearly right—she wants to come all the same. She wants to presume on my—er—friendship to force herself on my wife.... Jove! I guess that's a little too strong. It's time we showed the fair Madalena her place, don't you think so, Lady A?"