"
Maggie's face grew very white. "I must say 'good-by': I am going
home," she said, rising. Then she added, looking full at Hammond,
"Sometimes it is necessary to reject happiness; and necessity ought
not to be spoken of as a whim."
CHAPTER XXX
"IF I HAD KNOWN YOU SOONER"
AS MAGGIE was leaving the crowded drawing-room she came face to face
with Rosalind. One of those impulses which always guided her, more or
less, made her stop suddenly and put her hand on the young girl's
shoulder.
"Will you come home with me?" she asked.
Rosalind was talking gaily at the moment to a very young
undergraduate.
"I am obliged to you," she began; "you are kind, but I have arranged
to return to St. Benet's with Miss Day and Miss Marsh."
"I should like you to come now with me," persisted Maggie in a grave
voice.
Something in her tone caused Rosalind to turn pale. The sick fear,
which had never been absent from her heart during the evening, became
on the instant intolerable. She turned to the young lad with whom she
had been flirting, bade him a hasty and indifferent "good night" and
followed Maggie out of the room.
Hammond accompanied the two girls downstairs, got their cab for them
and helped them in.
After Rosalind consented to come home Miss Oliphant did not address
another word to her.
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