was compelled by the barest decency to bid her guests Godspeed.

And Adèle Haggage kissed her for the first time in her life. She had

been a little awed by Miss Hugonin, the famous heiress--a little

jealous of her, I dare say, on account of Hugh Van Orden--but now she

kissed her very heartily in farewell, and said, "Don't forget you are

to come to us as soon as

possible

," and was beyond any question

perfectly sincere in saying it.

And Hugh Van Orden almost dragged Margaret under the main stairway,