ght to stop it. I was rather in a difficulty because I
knew nothing definite against her, though I was sure that if she
wasn't a bad lot already, she would be later on. I wrote first of
all to Maurice Avery, who told me that she'd had a not at all
reputable affair with a painter friend of his. It seems, however,
that he had already spoken to Michael about this and that Michael
walked out of the house in a rage. Then I came up to town with Alan
and saw Wedderburn, who knew nothing about her and hadn't seen
Michael for months. Then we got hold of Lonsdale. He has apparently
met her at Covent Garden, and _I'm perfectly sure_ that he has
actually been away with her himself. Though, of course, he was much
too polite to tell me so. He was absolutely horrified when he heard
about her and Michael. I asked him to tell Michael anything he knew
against her, but he didn't see how he could. He said he wouldn't
have the heart. I told him it was his duty, but he said he wouldn't
be able to bear the sight of Michael's face when he told him. Of
course, the poor darling knows nothing about her. You must come at
once to London and talk to him yourself. You've no time to lose.
I'll meet you if you send me a wire. I've no influence over Michael
any more. You're the only person who can stop it. He's so sweet
about her. She's rather lovely to look at, I must say. Lots of love
from Alan and from me.

Your loving

Stella.

Michael was touched by Lonsdale's attitude. It showed, he thought, an
exquisite sensitiveness, and he was grateful for it. Stella had
certainly been very active: but he had foreseen all of this. Nothing was
going to alter his determination. He waited gloomily for his mother to
come down. Of all antagonists she would be the hardest to combat in
argument, because he was debarred from referring to so much that had
weighed heavily with him in his decision. His mother was upstairs such a
very short time that Michael realized with a smile how deeply she must
have been moved. Nothing but this marriage of his had ever brought her
downstairs so rapidly from taking off her things.

"Have you read Stella's letter?" she asked.

He nodded.

"Well, of course you see that the whole business must be stopped at
once. It's dreadful for you to hear all these things, and I know you
must be suffering, dearest boy; but you ough