“Why shouldn’t he slip, or slide, or steam, or sail in a balloon, if he likes?” laughed Di, but not happily.  “You’re looking much better, Lisa.  You’ve quite a colour now.  Do you feel strong enough to go upstairs?”

“I would rather rest here for awhile, since you think Lord Mountstuart is sure not to come,” said I.  “These pillows are so comfortable.  Then perhaps, by and by, I shall feel able to go back to the den, and watch the dancing.  I should like to keep up, if I can, for I know I shan’t sleep, and the night will seem so long.”

“Very well,” said Di, speaking kindly, though I knew she would have liked to shake me.  “I’m afraid I shall have to run away now, for my partner will think me so rude.  What about supper?”

“Oh, I don’t want any.  And I shall have gone upstairs before that,” I interrupted.  “Go now, I don’t need you any more.”

“Ring, and send for me if you feel badly again.”

“Yes—­yes.”

By this time she was at the door, and there she turned with a remorseful look in her eyes, as if she had been unkind and was sorry.  “Even if you don’t send, I shall come back by and by, when I can, to see how you are,” she said.  Then she was gone, and I nestled deeper into the sofa cushions, with the feeling that my head was so heavy, it must weigh down the pillows like a stone.

“She was afraid of missing Number 13 with Ivor,” I said to myself.  “Well—­she’s welcome to it now.  I don’t think she’ll enjoy it much—­or let him.  Oh, I hope they’ll quarrel.  I don’t think I’d mind anything, if only I was sure they’d never be nearer to each other.  I wish Di would marry Lord Robert.  Perhaps then Ivor would turn to me.  Oh, my God, how I hate her—­and all beautiful girls, who spoil the lives of women like me.”

A shivering fit shook me from head to feet, as I guessed that the time must be coming for Number 13.  They were together, perhaps.  What if, in spite of all, Ivor should tell Di how he loved her, and they should be engaged?  At that thought, I tried to bring on a heart attack, and die; for at least it would chill their happiness if, when Lady Mountstuart’s ball was over, I should be found lying white and dead, like Elaine on her barge.  I was holding my breath, with my hand pressed over my heart to feel how it was beating, when the door opened suddenly, and I heard a voice speaking.

CHAPTER II

LISA LISTENS

Someone turned up the light.  “I’ll leave you together,” said Lord Mountstuart; and the door was closed.

“What could that mean?” I wondered.  I had supposed the two men had come in alone, but there must have been a third person.  Who could it be?  Had Lord Mountstuart been arranging a tete-a-tete between Di and Ivor Dundas?

The thought was like a hand on my throat, choking my life out.  I must hear what they had to say to each other.