“Was she well?”
“Yes. At the first stroke after midnight I go again to her. These guests will then have all departed.”
“I, too.”
“You say that sadly.”
“The magnetism of the stone I sent her draws me to your mother.”
Just then Everard entered the room, carrying in his hand a large sealed envelope addressed to Rosalie. At the back it was sealed with the image of the Serpent.
“You, Everard?” said Mr. Barringcourt, with some surprise.
“I heard the door bell ring, and knew it was no ordinary guest of the evening.”
She took and opened it. A summons to appear before the High Priest’s court, and on the morrow morning, this first day of the New Year.
She read it through, half mystified, the truth with some difficulty dawning upon her. Then on a sudden she handed it to Mr. Barringcourt, her face as white as the background of her dress, and he in his turn read it. Then he turned to Everard and said: