, she had not
stopped to think that with Jean le Roi a prisoner, and herself as
prosecutrix, the whole miserable story must be published. He continued.

"Give me money," he said, "only a half of what you offered me just now,
and you shall have your freedom."

Wilhelmina smiled. Something of the joy of a few hours ago came faintly
back to her.

"I have already that," she answered. "I learnt the truth to-night."

Jean le Roi shrugged his shoulders. The game was up then! What an
evening of disasters!

"Let me go," he said. "I ask no more."

Wilhelmina and Macheson exchanged glances. She vanished into her room
for a moment, and reappeared in a long wrapper.

"Come with me softly," she said, "and I will let you out."

So they three went on tiptoe down the broad stairs. Macheson and
Wilhelmina exchanged no words. Yet they both felt that the future was
different for them.

"You can give Mr. Macheson your address," Wilhelmina said, as they stood
at the front door. "I will send you something to help you make a fresh
start."

But Jean le Roi laughed.

"I play only for the great stakes," he murmured, with a swagger, "and
when I lose--I lose."

So he vanished into the darkness, and Macheson and Wilhelmina remained
with clasped hands.

"To-morrow," he whispered, stooping and kissing her fingers.

"To-morrow," she repeated. "Thank God you came to-night!"

She was too weary, too happy to ask for explanations, and he offered
none. All the time, as he crossed the Square and turned towards his
house, those words rang in his ears--To-morrow!

CHAPTER XVII

LORD AND LADY BOUNTIFUL

Deyes caught a vision of blue in the window, and crossed the lawn. Lady
Peggy leaned over the low sill. Between them was only a fragrant border
of hyacinths.

"You know that our host and hostess have deserted us?" she asked.

He nodded.

"They have gone over to this wonderful Convalescent Home that Macheson
is building in the hills," he remarked. "I am not sure that I consider
it good manners to leave us to entertain one another."

"I am not sure," she said, "that it is proper. Wilhelmina should have
considered that we are her only guests."

She sat down in the window-sill and leaned back against the corner. She
had slept well, and she was not afraid of the sunshine--blue, too, was
her most becoming colour. He looked at her admiringly.

"You are really looking very well this morning," he said.

"Thank you," she answered.