onour
and his own were in imminent peril. Death were sweeter than his failure
to save it.

It was not much after nine when the car rolled into Waterloo Station,
and Leroy assisted his trembling companion to alight. Wrapped up in
Lucy's big coat, she stood quietly by while Leroy left his car in the
care of an outside porter, then led her apparently towards the booking
office. Passing through this, they manoeuvred to reach the outside,
where a taxi was hailed, and the address given.

Thankful at their escape, Leroy stood bareheaded till it disappeared in
the throng of vehicles; then he returned to his own motor, as he
thought, unseen and unnoticed.

Alas for his vain hopes! Miss Penelope and Constance, after a long day's
shopping, had come to Waterloo on their way back to Barminster. The
sharp eyes of Lady Constance, quickened by love, recognised the figure
of Adrien from afar; and, making some excuse to Miss Penelope, she
followed and watched the departure.

She did not recognise the lady, it is true; but she saw sufficient to
realise that her worst fears were fulfilled. Adrien had neglected her
letter for the sake of another woman.

Jasper waited patiently until the sound of the carriage wheels had died
away into the distance, then he came out of his hiding-place, his face
pale, his eyes shining.

"Lucy Ashford," he said, sinking into a chair, and holding up one finger
in solemn warning, "you may be asked some day to give an account of what
has taken place to-night. Remember this; you know nothing, you
recognised no one--till I give you leave. Disobey me, and the story of
your Canterbury trip becomes the property of the whole world. I'll
proclaim it through every newspaper in the world."

Trembling and crying, and too ignorant to realise the absurdity of this
threat, Lucy swore to be silent; and then, to her intense relief, Mr.
Vermont changed his mind as to staying the night, and announced his
decision of returning to London.

CHAPTER XXI

On the night of that fateful trip, when Leroy returned to his chambers,
he found Lady Constance's letter. Already tired with the events of the
day, and the struggle in the water, this proved an overwhelming blow.
The thought that he had spent the day in idle dalliance, when he might
have been with the woman he truly loved--might have basked in the warmth
of her presence, even though she would never be his, drove him almost to
madnes