s a desperate one, doubtless, but none the less alluring and
powerful because of that.

CHAPTER X

"If He Had Committed a Crime"

Karine stood, as I said, perhaps a couple of yards distant from her
friends, and their backs, at the present moment, were more than half
turned to her. It would be just possible for me to speak to her, without
being observed by them, if I were both extraordinarily cautious and
lucky. At any moment Wildred, who had perhaps gone to rectify some
vexatious mistake about a table, might return. If I meant to take the
step at all there was no time to be lost in doing so.

Without giving myself a second for further reflection, and with the
blood surging to my temples, I found myself, with a few strides, beside
her. Mud-stained boots and trousers were forgotten. I would waste no
time in apologising for my appearance.

What she must have thought of my pale and eager face, suddenly bent over
her, I do not know. I felt that a great crisis in my life, perhaps in
hers as well, had arrived, and my eyes must have shown something of that
which stirred so passionately in mind and heart, for she started with a
look almost of fear as she saw and recognised me.

She uttered no exclamation, however. If she had, Sir Walter and Lady
Tressidy would have heard and looked round, and my one chance, so
desperately snatched from Fate, would have been gone like a bubble that
bursts ere it has fairly expanded.

Without one spoken word I made her see that she must come with me, and
the quick realisation of my power over her, as she laid her hand upon my
arm unhesitatingly, thrilled me to the very core of my being.

Most women would have refused to come, or at least questioned my sudden
appearance and intention, but not so with her. She knew that I had
something to say to her which must be said, and it was her will to hear
it.

She had been pale as a statue of marble, as she stood leaning listlessly
against the wall in her white dress, but as she moved away with me life
and colour came back to her face. I led her down the hall to a small
public drawing-room, and not once did she hesitate or look back,
unconventional as was the adventure in which she was engaged.

Luckily, the place was empty, save for two elderly French women, who
gossiped and gabbled with their heads close together on a sofa in a
corner.

"What is it--oh, what is it?" questioned Karine. "Quick! there will only
be a moment, I know, for t