Then she remembered Pauline, and the old wonder came over her why Pauline had always such great, such unbounded contempt for him.
Her maid came in, and Lady Darrell put on the pink brocade with its white lace trimmings. The maid, in ecstasies, cried out that it was superb—that "my lady" had "never looked so beautiful."
Lady Darrell took up the pearl necklace and held it against the pink brocade to note the contrast. While she held it in her hands one of the servants gave a hurried rap at the door. She came to announce that Miss Darrell had arrived suddenly, and wished to see Lady Darrell at once.
"Miss Darrell! Then something must be the matter with Miss Hastings. Ask her to come to me at once."
In a few moments Pauline was standing in that brilliant room, looking pale and anxious.
"No," she said, in answer to Lady Darrell's eager question; "there is nothing the matter with Miss Hastings. I wanted to see you; I want to see you alone. Can you spare a few minutes?"
Lady Darrell dismissed her maid, and then turned to Pauline.
"What is it?" she asked. "What has brought you here so suddenly?"
Without one word, Pauline went to the door and locked it, and then she went back to Lady Darrell, who was watching her in wonder.
"I have done you a great wrong," she said, humbly, "and I have come to atone for it."