itted, unwillingly. "But I don't
see why anybody else should. You see, I've put myself in--I've said the
most shocking things!"

Darrell replied that she would not find that device of much service to
her.

"However--I can no doubt get an opinion for you."

Kitty, all delight, thanked him profusely.

"You shall have the whole of it before you go--Friday, isn't it?" she
said, eagerly gathering it up.

Darrell was certainly conscious of no desire to burden himself with the
horrid thing. But he was rarely able to refuse the request of a pretty
and fashionable woman, and it flattered his conceit to be the sole
recipient of what might very well turn out to be a political secret of
some importance. Not that he meant to lay himself open to any just
reproach whatever in the matter. He would show it to some fitting
person--to pacify Lady Kitty--write a letter of strong protest to her
afterwards--and wash his hands of it. What might happen then was not his
business.

Meanwhile his inner mind was full of an acrid debate which turned
entirely upon his interview with Ashe of the day before. No doubt, as an
old friend, aware of Lady Kitty's excitable character, he might have
felt it his duty to go straight to Ashe, <i>coute que coute</i>, and warn
him of what was going on. But what encouragement had been given him to
play so Quixotic a part? Why should he take any particular thought for
Ashe's domestic peace, or Ashe's public place? What consideration had
Ashe shown for <i>him</i>? "Tu l'as voulu, Georges Dandin!"

So it ended in his promising to take the MS. to London with him, and let
Lady Kitty know the result of his inquiries. Kitty's dancing step as
they returned to the house betrayed the height of her spirits.

* * * * *

A rumor flew round the house towards the middle of the day that Harry,
the little heir, was worse. Kitty did not appear at luncheon, and the
doctor was sent for. Before he came, it was known only to Margaret
French that Kitty had escaped by herself from the house and could not be
found. Ashe and Lady Tranmore saw the doctor, who prescribed, and would
not admit that there was any cause for alarm. The heat had tried the
child, and Lady Kitty--he looked round the nursery for her in some
perplexity--might be quite reassured.

Margaret found her, wandering in the park--very wild and pale--told her
the doctor's verdict, and brought her home. Kitty said little or
nothing, an