An hour later Maggie Oliphant had occasion to go back to the forsaken green-room to fetch a bracelet she had left there. Priscilla was standing in the corridor when she passed. Quick as lightning Prissie disappeared, and, making her way into the library, which was thrown open for a general reception that evening, sought out Hammond, and, taking his hand, said, abruptly—
“I want you; come with me.”
In surprise he followed her into the hall.
“Maggie is in the green-room; go to her,” said Priscilla.
He raised his brows; his eyes seemed to lighten, and then grow dark. They asked Priscilla a thousand questions; his lips refused to ask one.
Replying to the look in his eyes, Priscilla said again: “It is cruel of you to leave her alone. Go to her; she is waiting for you—and oh, I know that her heart has been waiting for you for a long, long time.”
“If I thought that,” said Hammond’s eyes.
He turned without a word, and went down the long corridor which led to the little theatre.
Late that evening, after all the bustle and excitement were over, and most of the guests had left, Miss Heath was standing in her own sitting-room talking to Prissie.
“And you have quite made up your mind, Prissie?”