ster's sake----"

"I want to save Flossy, Cynthia. I think I can shield her still."

"I do not think that my father will shield her, Hubert. He knows."

"She must be shielded, if possible, dear, for the old General's sake.
What a fool I was not to prevent that marriage! Well, it can't be helped
now. But one thing I can do--I can exonerate your father, and confess
that I shot Sydney Vane, without a word about my sister. That must be
so, Cynthia. And your father must be silent."

"You will deprive yourself of your one excuse," said Cynthia quietly.

"I know. I cannot help it. I must stand forth to the world as a brutal
murderer--as once your father did, my Cynthia. It is only right and
just. They must sentence me as they please. But it will not be for long;
I shall probably not come out of prison. But, if I do----"

Cynthia burst into tears.

"I can't bear it--I can't bear it!" she cried. "My father is right--he
has got over the worst of it and outlived all that was hard. It would be
terrible for you! How could you bear it--and how could I?"

"You could bear it if you thought it brought me happiness, could you
not? I know I am selfish, Cynthia."

"No, no--you are anything but selfish! Oh, darling, live for me a little
if you will not for yourself! Father asks you to do that as well as I.
You will make us suffer if you suffer--and I cannot bear to part from
you again! If you love me, Hubert, say nothing--for my father's sake and
mine!"

It was a strange plea. And while Hubert listened and strove to calm her,
there came a new and unwonted sound upon the stairs--the sound of a
struggle, of trampling feet, of angry voices--of a woman's shriek and a
man's stifled curse. Cynthia sprang to her feet.

"I hear my father's voice!" she said. "What can that mean?"

* * * * *

There had been another visitor that afternoon to Hubert's lodgings in
Russell Square. Sabina Meldreth had presented herself at three o'clock,
and had inquired for Mrs. Vane. She was told that Mrs. Vane had gone
out, and was not likely to be back until six or half-past six o'clock.

"And then the General's coming with her," Jenkins had informed her, "and
they're to dine together, because it is the first time that master has
stayed up to dinner since he was taken ill."

"Oh, that'll do very well for me!" said Sabina sullenly. "I shall see
the whole lot of them then, I suppose. I'll wait!" and she planted
herself on o