Dora only too well understands his insinuation.  Latterly Sir Adrian and Florence have been almost inseparable.  To now meet with one whose interest it is to keep them asunder is very pleasant to her.

“I will help you,” she says in a low tone.

“Then try to induce Miss Delmaine to give me a private rehearsal to-morrow in the north gallery,” he whispers hurriedly, seeing Captain Ringwood and Miss Villiers approaching.  “Hush!  Not another word!  I rely upon you.  Above all things, remember that what has occurred is only between you and me.  It is our little plot,” he says, with a curious smile that somehow strikes a chill to Mrs. Talbot’s heart.

She is faithful to her word nevertheless, and late that night, when all have gone to their rooms, she puts on her dressing-gown, dismisses her maid, and crossing the corridor, taps lightly at the door of Florence’s apartment.

Hearing some one cry “Come in,” she opens the door, and, having fastened it again, goes over to where Florence is sitting while her maid is brushing her long soft hair that reaches almost to the ground as she sits.

“Let me brush your hair to-night, Flo,” she says gayly.  “Let me be your maid for once.  Remember how I used to do it for you sometimes when we were in Switzerland last year.”

“Very well—­you may,” acquiesces Florence, laughing.  “Good-night, Parkins.  Mrs. Talbot has won you your release.”

Parkins having gladly withdrawn, Dora takes up the ivory-handled brush and gently begins to brush her cousin’s hair.

After some preliminary conversation leading up to the subject she has in hand, she says carelessly—­

“By the bye, Flo, you are rather uncivil to Arthur Dynecourt, don’t you think?”

“Uncivil?”

“Well—­yes.  That is the word for your behavior toward him, I think.  Do you know, I am afraid Sir Adrian has noticed it, and aren’t you afraid he will think it rather odd of you—­rude, I mean—­considering he is his cousin?”

“Not a very favorite cousin, I fancy.”

“For all that, people don’t like seeing their relations slighted.  I once knew a man who used to abuse his brother all day long, but, if any one else happened to say one disparaging word of him in his presence, it put him in a pretty rage.  And, after all, poor Arthur has done nothing to deserve actual ill-treatment at your hands.”

“I detest him.  And, besides, it is a distinct impertinence to follow any one about from place to place as he has followed me.  I will not submit to it calmly.  It is a positive persecution.”

“My dear, you must not blame him if he has lost his head about you.  That is rather a compliment, if anything.”

“I shall always resent such compliments.”

“He is certainly very gentlemanly in all other ways, and I must say devoted to you.  He is handsome too, is he not; and has quite the air of one accustomed to command in society?”