“I am so delighted he is coming!” repeated Meta. “I do trust he will be here in good time.”
She led Miss Oliphant to a prominent seat at the top of the room as she spoke.
“I shall have to leave soon after ten,” replied Maggie, “so, if Mr Hammond cannot arrive until after that hour, I shall not have the pleasure of seeing him.”
“Oh, but you must really stay later than that; it would be too cruel to leave us so early.”
“I am afraid I cannot. The gates are closed at St. Benet’s at eleven o’clock, and I do not care to remain out until the last moment.”
Meta was obliged, with great reluctance, to leave her guest, and a moment later Annie Day came up eagerly to Maggie’s side.
“It’s all right,” she said, drawing Miss Oliphant into the shelter of a window; “I have found out all I want to know.”
“What is that?” asked Maggie.
“Rosalind Merton is the thief.”
“Miss Day, how can you say such dreadful things?”