unaccounted for--and now wholly exploded by this
sleeping confederate, for whom, somehow, Herbert felt the greatest
sympathy! What was to be done? What should he say to Cherry--to her
mother--to Mr. Carstone? Yet he had felt he had done right. From time
to time he turned to the motionless recumbent shadow on the bed and
listened to its slow and peaceful respiration. Apart from that
undefinable attraction which all original natures have for each other,
the thrice-blessed mystery of protection of the helpless, for the first
time in his life, seemed to dawn upon him through that night.

Nevertheless, the actual dawn came slowly. Twice he nodded and awoke
quickly with a start. The third time it was day. The street-lamps
were extinguished, and with them the moving, restless watchers seemed
also to have vanished. Suddenly a formal deliberate rapping at the
door leading to the hall startled him to his feet.

It must be Ellen. So much the better; he could quickly get rid of her.
He glanced at the bed; Dornton slept on undisturbed. He unlocked the
door cautiously, and instinctively fell back before the erect, shawled,
and decorous figure of Mrs. Brooks. But an utterly new resolution and
excitement had supplanted the habitual resignation of her handsome
features, and given them an angry sparkle of expression.

Recollecting himself, he instantly stepped forward into the passage,
drawing to the door behind him, as she, with equal celerity, opposed it
with her hand.

"Mr. Bly," she said deliberately, "Ellen has just told me that your
voice has been heard in conversation with some one in this room late
last night. Up to this moment I have foolishly allowed my daughter to
persuade me that certain infamous scandals regarding your conduct here
were false. I must ask you as a gentleman to let me pass now and
satisfy myself."

"But, my dear madam, one moment. Let me first explain--I
beg"--stammered Herbert with a half-hysterical laugh. "I assure you a
gentleman friend"--

But she had pushed him aside and entered precipitately. With a quick
feminine glance round the room she turned to the bed, and then halted
in overwhelming confusion.

"It's a friend," said Herbert in a hasty whisper. "A friend of mine
who returned with me late, and whom, on account of the disturbed state
of the streets, I induced to stay here all night. He was so tired that
I have not had the heart to disturb him yet."

"Oh, pray don't!--I beg