But the constraint wore off at the table.

Most of those present were striving to set Stella Ballantyne at her ease, and she was at a comfortable distance from Mrs.Pettifer, with Mr.Hazlewood at her side.

She was conscious that she was kept under observation and from time to time the knowledge made her uncomfortable.
"I am being watched," she said to her host.
"You mustn't mind," replied Mr.Hazlewood, and the smile came back to her lips as she glanced round the table.
"Oh, I don't, I don't," she said in a low voice, "for I have friends here." "And friends who will not fail you, Stella," said the old man.

"To-night begins the great change.

You'll see." Robert Pettifer puzzled her indeed more than his wife.