ustace took heart of grace; bending down, he kissed
the Madonna-like face. Still there was no response. Only very gently she
pushed him from her, whispering:

"Yes, Eustace, I think I shall be able to tell you that you may hope."

Bottles waited to see no more. With set teeth and flaming eyes he crept,
a broken man, through the door that led on to the landing, crept down
the stairs and into the hall. On the pegs were his hat and coat; he took
them and passed into the street.

"I have done a disgraceful thing," he thought, "and I have paid for it."

Softly as the door closed Sir Eustace heard it; and then he too left the
room, murmuring, "I shall soon come for my answer, Madeline."

When he reached the street his brother was gone.

VI

Sir Eustace did not go straight back to the Albany, but, calling a
hansom, drove down to his club.

"Well," he thought to himself, "I have played a good many curious parts
in my time, but I never had to do with anything like this before. I only
hope George is not much cut up. His eyes ought to be opened now. What a
woman----" but we will not repeat Sir Eustace's comments upon the lady
to whom he was nominally half engaged.

At the club Sir Eustace met his friend the Under-Secretary, who had
just escaped from the House. Thanks to information furnished to him
that morning by Bottles, who had been despatched by Sir Eustace, in a
penitent mood, to the Colonial Office to see him, he had just succeeded
in confusing, if not absolutely in defeating, the impertinent people who
"wanted to know." Accordingly he was jubilant, and greeted Sir Eustace
with enthusiasm, and they sat talking together for an hour or more.

Then Sir Eustace, being, as has been said, of early habits, made his way
home.

In his sitting-room he found his brother smoking and contemplating the
fire.

"Hullo, old fellow!" he said, "I wish you had come to the club with me.
Atherleigh was there, and is delighted with you. What you told him this
morning enabled him to smash up his enemies, and as the smashing lately
has been rather the other way he is jubilant. He wants you to go to see
him again to-morrow. Oh, by the way, you made your escape all right. I
only hope I may be as lucky. Well, what do you think of your lady-love
now?"

"I think," said Bottles slowly--"that I had rather not say what I do
think."

"Well, you are not going to marry her now, I suppose?"

"No, I shall not marry her."

"That is all ri