oings out in the world, of his struggles and his failures, of the
growth of this new enthusiasm, if indeed it was an enthusiasm. He had
hinted at strange adventures, but he had spoken of nothing definite.
He had not kept his word.

Rochester rose to his feet with a little exclamation.

"He shall tell me!" he muttered to himself, "or I will expose him, if
I have to turn detective and follow him round the world."

He swung round again across the Park toward Mayfair, and rang the bell
at Saton's new house. Mr. Saton was not at home, he was informed, but
was expected back at any moment. Rochester accepted an invitation to
wait, and was shown into a room which at first he thought empty. Then
someone rose from an old-fashioned easy-chair, set back amongst the
shadows. Rachael peered forward, leaning upon her stick, and shading
her eyes as though from the sun.

"Who is that?" she asked. "Who are you?"

Rochester bowed, and introduced himself. As yet he could see very
little of the person who had spoken. The blinds, and even the curtains
of the room, were close drawn. It was one of Rachael's strange fancies
on certain days to sit in the darkness. Suddenly, however, she leaned
forward and touched the knob of the electric light.

"My name is Rochester," he said. "I called to see Mr. Saton for a few
minutes. They asked me to wait."

"I am the Comtesse de Vestignes," Rachael said slowly, "and Bertrand
Saton is my adopted son. He will be back in a few moments. Draw your
chair up close to me. I should like to talk, if you do not mind this
light. I have been resting, and my eyes are tired."

Rochester obeyed, and seated himself by her side with a curious little
thrill of interest. It seemed to him that she was like the mummy of
some ancient goddess, the shadowy presentment of days long past. She
had the withered appearance of great age, and yet the dignity which
refuses to yield to time.

"Come nearer," she said. "I am no longer a young woman, and I am a
little deaf."

"You must tell me if you do not hear me," Rochester said. "My voice is
generally thought to be a clear one. I am very much interested in this
young man. Suppose, while we wait, you tell me a few things about
him. You have no objection?"

Rachael laughed softly.

"I wonder," she said, "what it is that you expect to hear from me."

CHAPTER XVI

PLAIN SPEAKING

From the depths of her chair, Rachael for several moments sat and
subjected her visit