hich may have lingered
in the man's mind.

"How long have you been here?"

"Three hours."

"And you don't know what Mrs Hamilton is?"

"No."

"What?" he cried excitedly.

"Tell me! Tell me!"

"Just tell me how you met her."

She told him in short words; she was reluctant to make a confidant of
the man who had ravished her lips; she was dimly conscious that he may
have had a remote excuse for his behaviour. When she had done, he said:

"Mrs Hamilton is one of the worst women in London. She'd have been 'run
in' long ago if she weren't so rich and if her clients weren't so
influential."

Mavis looked at him wide-eyed.

"That chap at dinner, didn't, you know he was Lord Kegworth? If you
don't, you must have heard of the rotten life he's led."

"But--" stammered Mavis.

"Have you seen any photographs since you've been here?"

"Just now--these."

"She's their agent, go between. Here! What am I telling you? You can
thank your stars you've met me."

Mavis's frightened eyes looked into his.

"I'm going to get you out of it."

"You?"

"There's not a moment to lose. Get on your things and clear out."

"But Mrs Hamilton--"

"She's busy for a moment. Slip on something over your dress and join me
outside the drawing-room. If anyone interferes with you, shout."

"But--"

"Do as I tell you. Hang it! I must do something to try and make up for
my blackguard behaviour."

Mavis went from the room, her heart beating with fear of discovery. For
the time being, she had forgotten the insult offered her by the man she
had left: her one thought was to put as great a space as possible
between this accursed house and herself in the least imaginable time.
She scarcely knew what she did. She tore off the pearls, the head
circlet with its shining emerald, bracelets and other costly gee-gaws,
and threw them on the table; she was glad to be rid of them; their
touch meant defilement. She kicked off the grey slippers, tore off the
silk stockings, and substituted for these her worn, down-at-heel shoes
and stockings. There was no time to change her frock, so she pulled the
cloak over her evening clothes; she meant to return these latter to
their owner the first thing in the morning. She turned her back on the
room, that such a short while back she had looked upon as her own, ran
down the stairs and joined the man, who was impatiently waiting for her
on the landing. Without exchanging a word, they descended to the ground
f