ircumstances) a considerate regard for _his_ position at the expense of
her own.

"You have something to say to me, Sir Patrick, on the subject of my
second son. I am in great affliction. If you bring me bad news, I will
do my best to bear it. May I trust to your kindness not to keep me in
suspense?"

"It will help me to make my intrusion as little painful as possible
to your ladyship," replied Sir Patrick, "if I am permitted to ask a
question. Have you heard of any obstacle to the contemplated marriage of
Mr. Geoffrey Delamayn and Mrs. Glenarm?"

Even that distant reference to Anne produced an ominous change for the
worse in Lady Holchester's manner.

"I have heard of the obstacle to which you allude," she said. "Mrs.
Glenarm is an intimate friend of mine. She has informed me that a person
named Silvester, an impudent adventuress--"

"I beg your ladyship's pardon. You are doing a cruel wrong to the
noblest woman I have ever met with."

"I can not undertake, Sir Patrick, to enter into your reasons for
admiring her. Her conduct toward my son has, I repeat, been the conduct
of an impudent adventuress."

Those words showed Sir Patrick the utter hopelessness of shaking
her prejudice against Anne. He decided on proceeding at once to the
disclosure of the truth.

"I entreat you so say no more," he answered. "Your ladyship is speaking
of your son's wife."

"My son has married Miss Silvester?"

"Yes."

She turned deadly pale. It appeared, for an instant, as if the shock had
completely overwhelmed her. But the mother's weakness was only momentary
The virtuous indignation of the great lady had taken its place before
Sir Patrick could speak again. She rose to terminate the interview.

"I presume," she said, "that your errand here is as an end."

Sir Patrick rose, on his side, resolute to do the duty which had brought
him to the house.

"I am compelled to trespass on your ladyship's attention for a few
minutes more," he answered. "The circumstances attending the marriage of
Mr. Geoffrey Delamayn are of no common importance. I beg permission (in
the interests of his family) to state, very briefly, what they are."

In a few clear sentences he narrated what had happened, that afternoon,
in Portland Place. Lady Holchester listened with the steadiest and
coldest attention. So far as outward appearances were concerned, no
impression was produced upon her.

"Do you expect me," she asked, "to espouse the interests of a