Two days later Miss Arms's theory of the situation, already shaken by the violet story, received a fatal blow. It was proved to her full satisfaction that Georgia Ames was no figment of an "eccentric" aunt's imagination. She existed and she went to Harding. Mary Brooks had been to New York to see her father and mother off for a winter in Italy, and she sent Georgia a note, written on Waldorf-Astoria paper and signed "Mary." Miss Arms opened it before she noticed the address, and read it through in growing bewilderment. Then she looked again at the envelope, and saw Georgia Ames's name. She consulted Nita, who disclaimed any particular interest in the matter.