that the feeling
I have for you is anything but friendly and kind, do me the honour of
disbelieving those indications--you understand?"

"Yes," replied Oscard untruthfully.

"Here we are at Lady Cantourne's," continued Sir John, "where, as it
happens, I expect to meet Jack. Her ladyship is naturally interested in
the affair of to-morrow, and has kindly undertaken to keep us up to date
in our behaviour. You will come in with me?"

Oscard remembered afterwards that he was rather puzzled--that there was
perhaps in his simple mind the faintest tinge of a suspicion. At the
moment, however, there was no time to do anything but follow. The man
had already rung the bell, and Lady Cantourne's butler was holding the
door open. There was something in his attitude vaguely suggestive of
expectation. He never took his eyes from Sir John Meredith's face, as if
on the alert for an unspoken order.

Guy Oscard followed his companion into the hall, and the very scent of
the house--for each house speaks to more senses than one--made his heart
leap in his broad breast. It seemed as if Millicent's presence was
in the very air. This was more than he could have hoped. He had not
intended to call this afternoon, although the visit was only to have
been postponed for twenty-four hours.

Sir John Meredith's face was a marvel to see. It was quite steady. He
was upright and alert, with all the intrepidity of his mind up in arms.
There was a light in his eyes--a gleam of light from other days, not yet
burnt out.

He laid aside his gold-headed cane and threw back his shoulders.

"Is Mr. Meredith upstairs?" he said to the butler.

"Yes--sir."

The man moved towards the stairs.

"You need not come!" said Sir John, holding up his hand.

The butler stood aside and Sir John led the way up to the drawing-room.

At the door he paused for a moment. Guy Oscard was at his heels. Then
he opened the door rather slowly, and motioned gracefully with his left
hand to Oscard to pass in before him.

Oscard stepped forward. When he had crossed the threshold Sir John
closed the door sharply behind him and turned to go downstairs.

CHAPTER XLI. A TROIS

Men serve women kneeling; when they get on their feet they go
away.

Guy Oscard stood for a moment on the threshold. He heard the door close
behind him, and he took two steps farther forward.

Jack Meredith and Millicent were at the fireplace. There was a heap of
disordered paper and s