CHAPTER V.

But another hand than Peggy’s snatched at the fluttering paper.  “What is it, what does it mean?” demanded Peggy, as a gusty breeze tore the paper from Tilly’s trembling fingers.

“Yes, and what do you mean, Miss Tilly Morris, by snatching what doesn’t belong to you?” cried Agnes, shrilly, as she started off to capture the flying paper, that, eluding her, blew hither and thither in a tantalizing way, and at last, falling at the feet of Will Wentworth, was picked up by him as he came out of the hall.

“It is mine, it is mine,” shrieked Agnes; “keep it for me.”

But Tilly, who was nearer to him, whispered agitatedly,—­

“No, no, Will; don’t give it to her,—­she is—­she means—­”

“Mischief, I see,” whispered back Will, with a swift, intelligent glance at Tilly.

“And if you wouldn’t read it until—­until I see you—­oh, if you wouldn’t!”

Will looked at Tilly with wonder.  This was certainly something more serious than common.  What was it,—­what was the trouble?

But Agnes was by this time close upon him, reaching up her hand and crying, “Give it to me, Will, give it to me!”

But Will laughingly thrust the paper into his pocket, and answered,—­

“No, I’ll keep it for you, and give it to you later; I don’t think it would be safe now.  There’s so much thunder in the air it might be struck by lightning.”

“It might be snatched or stolen, I dare say,” said Agnes, with a significant look at Tilly; “and you may keep it for me until later in the evening, and—­read it at your leisure.  It’s a very interesting collection of facts.”

“Tum, tum, ti tum,” suddenly struck up the band in the hall.

“Eight o’clock!” cried Agnes, in astonishment.

“Yes, the ball’s begun,” said Will, nodding and smiling; “and if you’ll excuse me,” lifting his cap, “I’ll go and get into my dancing shoes.”

Agnes tried to smile in response; but a little pang of disappointment thrilled her as he left her without asking her for a dance.  But he would later, of course,—­later, when he would hand her her property, that collection of “facts,” and by that time he would have read these “facts.”  She wouldn’t need to risk any words of her own in accusation after that,—­which conclusion shows very plainly that Miss Agnes had been sufficiently impressed with Tilly’s warning to hold her peace.

That she had not flaunted the newspaper cutting before the eyes of others in the house also shows that the accident of the moment and her hot anger had, in the one instance only, overcome her caution.

But Tilly did not know all this, and her anxiety increased after she had heard those words to Will, “Read it at your leisure.”

Peggy, too, had heard those words, though it was quite clear she had not heard that other word,—­that dreadful name of Smithson; for, “What is it all about, that bit of paper?” she asked Tilly innocently, as Agnes and Will disappeared in the hallway; and Tilly said to her imploringly,—­