"My God! I love the man!" said Tiara, rising from her chair and throwing herself face downward across the bed. "Oh, I must never see him again. He might read this awful, this maddening love in my eyes."
Early the next morning, Mrs. Crawford sent for Ensal.
"Mr. Ellwood, I wish you had been more frank with me," said Mrs. Crawford.
"Please explain," said Ensal.
"I took occasion to discuss you rather freely last night, and I seem to have given mortal offense to Miss Merlow, who appears to be madly in love with you."
Ensal was perplexed and knew not what to say.
"Where is Miss Merlow?" asked Ensal.
"She became so indignant that she left my house last night. When you win people's love to such a degree as that, you ought to post your friends so that they may be careful. Miss Merlow has gone to Mrs. Crump's. I shall offer you no explanation of my course until you have heard from Miss Merlow. Now leave me and go to her." Much mystified at the strange turn of events, Ensal took his departure.
The postman early that same morning had left the following note at Mrs. Crump's for Tiara.
"Ensal Ellwood is a noble young man. You loved him and did not know it. I have opened your eyes. Forgive me, dear, but I could not see two, whom I regard so highly, so far apart. As for Ellwood, the lad has never had his right mind since he first met you.
Madge Crawford."