presentiment of evil crept like a grey shadow over her.

She looked at herself in the glass--the colour had left her cheeks. She
tried to laugh at her self.

"This is absurd!" she exclaimed. "Lenora, go down and ask Macdougal to
come up for a minute. I am going to have this thing explained. Hurry,
there's a good girl."

"You are sure your ladyship doesn't mind being left?" the maid asked, a
little doubtfully.

"Of course not!" Ella replied, with a laugh which was not altogether
natural. "Hurry along, there's a good girl. I'll drink my chocolate while
you are gone, and get ready for bed, but I must see Macdougal before I
undress."

Something of her mistress's agitation seemed to have become communicated
to Lenora. Her voice shook a little as she stepped into the elevator.

"Where are you off to, young lady?" the boy enquired.

"I want to go round to our quarters," Lenora explained. "Her ladyship
wants to speak to Mr. Macdougal."

"He's gone out, sure," the elevator boy remarked. "Shall I wait for you,
Miss Lenora?" he asked, as they descended into the hall.

"Do," she begged. "I sha'n't be more than a minute or two."