seeing or communicating with her again.

Even on Saturday night he had not made up his mind how to act. He went
to the theatre, but left before the play was half over, and walked
slowly homewards. As he drew near to his lodgings, some one hastened
towards him with both hands held out. It was Maud Enderby.

"Oh, I have waited so long! I wanted to see you to-night." She was
exhausted with fatigue and distress, and still held his hands, as if
needing their support. To Waymark, in his then state of mind, she came
like an apparition. He could only look at her in astonishment.

"Last night," she said, "I had a telegram from father. He told me to
come back at once; he had had to leave, and mother was alone. I was to
call for a letter at a place in the city. I was in time to catch the
night boat, and when I got his letter it told me dreadful things.
Something has happened which compelled him to leave England at once. He
could do nothing, make no arrangements. Mother, he said, had a little
money; we must sell everything and manage to live somewhere for a
little; he would try to send us what he could. Then I went home. There
was a police-officer in the house, and mother had gone away, I can't
tell where. Father has done something, and--Oh, what shall I do? You
can help me, can't you?"

Waymark, whom this news overwhelmed with blank despair, could at first
say nothing; but the very greatness of the blow gradually produced in
him the strength to bear it. He saw that fate had taken the future out
of his hands; there was no longer even the appearance of choice. To
Maud he must now devote himself, aiding her with all his strength in
the present and through the days to come.

"Shall I go back home with you?" he asked, pressing her hands to
comfort her, and speaking with the calmness of one who had made up his
mind.

"Yes; perhaps mother will have returned. But what shall we do? What
will happen to father? Do you know anything of all this?"

"Nothing whatever. Walk with me to the top of the street, and we will
take a cab."

She hung upon his arm, trembling violently; and during the drive to
Paddington, she lay back with her eyes closed, holding Waymark's hands
in her own, which burned with fever. On alighting, they found that Mrs.
Enderby had indeed returned; the servant told them so, and at the same
time whispered something to Maud. They went up into the drawing-room,
and there found Mrs. Enderby lying upon the couch. She coul