e
coming woman, to keep the world from collapse.--Be so good, now, as to
answer a plain question. You will do so, simply because you know that I
have but to speak half-a-dozen words to Lady Ogram, and you would be
spared the trouble of coming here to lunch. What is your scheme? If I
had been so pliant as you expected, what would you have asked of me?"

"Merely to use your influence with Lady Ogram when she is vexed by
learning that May Tomalin is not to marry Dymchurch. What could be
simpler and more straightforward? Scheme there is none. I have done
with that kind of thing. I wish to marry this girl, for her own sake,
but if I can keep Lady Ogram's good-will at the same time, I suppose
there's nothing very base in wishing to do so?"

"You speak of 'vexation.' Do you really imagine that that word will
describe Lady Ogram's state of mind if she learns that Lord Dymchurch
is rejected?"

"Of course there will be a scene. We can't help that. We must face it,
and hope in Lady Ogram's commonsense."

"Answer another question. How do you _know_ that May Tomalin will
refuse Lord Dymchurch?"

"I had better refuse to answer. You talk much of honour. If you know
what it means, you will accept my refusal as the only thing possible
under the circumstances."

Constance stood in hesitation. It seemed as if she might concede this
point, but at the critical moment jealous wrath again seized her,
extinguishing the better motive.

"You will answer my question. You will tell me what has passed."

She glared at him, and it was Lashmar's turn to betray indecision.

"You are at my mercy," Constance exclaimed, "and you will do as I bid
you."

Lashmar yielded to exasperation.

"I have enough of this," he cried angrily. "Go and do as you please!
Take your silly feminine revenge, and much good may it do you! I have
no more time to waste."

He caught up his hat, and left the room.

Passing the foot of the staircase, he saw someone descending. It was
May. Involuntarily he stopped; the girl's gesture of alarm, bidding him
be off, was disregarded. He waved to her, and she joined him.

"I've seen them both. It's all right. Keep up your courage!"

"Go! Go!" whispered May in fright. "Someone will see us."

"At lunch!"

He pressed her hand, smiled like a general in the thick of battle, and
hurried away. Scarcely had he vanished through the portal, when
Constance, issuing from the library, encountered Miss Tomalin. May
uttered an unn