human man I ever met; also the strongest, and one of the most
lovable. Myra, there is nothing to be gained by waiting. Let me send him
to you now; and, remember, all he asks or expects is one word of
forgiveness."

"Oh, Jane!" cried Lady Ingleby, with clasped hands. "Do wait a little
while. Give me time to think; time to consider; time to decide."

"Nonsense, my dear," said Mrs. Dalmain, "When but one right course lies
before you, there can be no possible need for hesitation or
consideration. You are merely nervously postponing the inevitable. You
remind me of scenes we used to have in the out-patient department of a
hospital in the East End of London, to which I once went for training.
When patients came to the surgery for teeth extraction, and the pretty
sympathetic little nurse in charge had got them safely fixed into the
chair; as one of the doctors, prompt and alert, came forward with
unmistakably business-like forceps ready, the terrified patient would
exclaim: 'Oh, let the nurse do it! Let the nurse do it!' the idea
evidently being that three or four diffident pulls by the nurse, were
less alarming than the sharp certainty of _one_ from the doctor. Now, my
dear Myra, you have to face your ordeal. If it is to be successful there
must be no uncertainty."

"Oh, Jane, I wish you were not such a decided person. I am sure when
_you_ were the nurse, the poor things preferred the doctors. I am
terrified; yet I know you are right. And, oh, you dear, don't leave me!
See me through."

"I am never away from Garth for a night, as you know," said Mrs. Dalmain.
"But he and little Geoff went down to Overdene this morning, with Simpson
and nurse; so, if your man can motor me over during the evening, I will
stay as long as you need me."

"Ah, thanks," said Lady Ingleby. "And now, Jane, you have done all you
can for me; and God knows how much that means. I want to be quite alone
for an hour. I feel I must face it out, and decide what I really intend
doing. I owe it to Jim, I owe it to myself, to be quite sure what I mean
to say, before I see him. Order tea in the library. Tell him I will see
him; and, at the end of the hour, send him here. But, Jane--not a hint of
anything which has passed between us. I may rely on you?"

"My dear," said Mrs. Dalmain, gently, "I play the game!"

She rose and stood on the hearthrug, looking intently at her husband's
painting of Lord Ingleby.

"And, Myra," she said at last, "I do entreat yo