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 adore asters. Still followed by Mayme, she passed on into the dining-room and placed the vase in the centre of the table. Now, what can I do for you? Let's go into the library.

Although it was early morning the shutters in the library were as usual closed but one bar of light, speckled with dancing motes of dust, penetrated the semi-obscurity. The general impression of the room, however, with its heavy black-walnut furniture and woodwork, was cool and gloomy. The ladies sat in chairs facing each other.

Good gracious, Mayme, Ella expostulated, you look like a tragedy queen! What has happened to you?

It isn't anything that's happened to me that I came to see you about, Mrs. Townsend announced, severely. It is what has happened to you. She tapped the arm of her chair with her forefinger.

Indeed! The Countess frowned again.

Ella, you know that I never go round in circles, that I never equivocate. We're old friends, and I will come straight to the point.

The Countess remained silent. In her mind she was recalling certain incidents concerning which Mayme had not come straight to the point.

I've known you for a long time, Ella, and that ought to give me certain privileges. We played together as children; we went to school together. When you first came back to Maple Valley we saw a good deal of each other, but. . . now she adopted