He seemed to take in by slow degrees every one who stood there,--Maggie herself and Chalmers, Naida, Nigel and Prince Shan.

He moved forward.

All the time his right hand was behind him, concealed underneath the tails of his dress coat.
"Be careful!" Maggie cried out.

"It is Oscar Immelan! He is mad!" Some of the party and many of the bystanders had shrunk away from the menacing figure.

Naida stepped out from among the little group of those who were left.
"Oscar," she said firmly, "what is the matter with you?
You are not well enough to be here." He came to a standstill.