"How," answered Maggy, and colored violently under Alexandra's clear and searching eyes. "I had to go to his house—on business," she floundered, giving herself away.
Alexandra could not help laughing.
"Oh, Maggy! Then the diamonds I wore last night were his!"
"Nothing wrong with them, was there?"
"No, but—but you must be very friendly with him. Have you seen him a lot since he came back?"
"When I went to borrow them and again to-day when I took them back," replied Maggy, regaining her self-possession.
"I wonder what he thinks of you!"
"Oh, just mad," said Maggy.
In a week's time it would be Christmas. The joys of anticipation helped her to endure Woolf's absence. She knew that her visit to Purton Towers would incense him, but she did not intend going it on that account. She would not be doing Woolf or herself any wrong in going. When he returned she would be quite honest and tell him all about it. Meanwhile she wrote to Chalfont.
"Dear Lord Chalfont: