other has any. Send the servants to bed,
and do this when all is quiet. I am liable to be arrested for debt, and
do not know when it may or may not take place. Have a cab to-morrow
morning, and send my mother to the station; then take Minette, at your
usual hour, through the park to Hyde Park Corner. Start about ten. I
will meet you. I must not stay here to-night; indeed, I must not stay
longer.'

Netta threw her arms round Howel's neck, and entreated him not to leave
her.

'Netta, don't be a fool! You don't want to ruin me, do you?'

Netta withdrew her arms, and stood like a statue before Howel.

'You needn't look so frightened? it will be all right in a few weeks.
To-morrow at ten, remember.'

Howel kissed her, and again left the house.

Poor Netta set about the work that was appointed her mechanically. First
of all, however, she went into her mother-in-law's room, and assisted
her to pack. Mrs Griffey was by turns indignant, alarmed, and sorrowful;
but finding that she must depart, and that some real difficulty existed,
she made no further resistance. Seeing that Netta had literally no
money, she gave her a ten-pound note, under a faithful promise that she
would not transfer it to Howel.

'He do be very good-for-nothing, Netta, and have been spending money
enough to buy half London. Tak' you care of this, and write you to me.
You was very good to me since I was come here.'

The kind word was too much for Netta, and she sat down and cried
bitterly. Mrs Griffey tried to comfort her by crying too, and so the
night waned away.

The following morning the cab was sent for, according to Howel's order,
and a man-servant ordered to accompany Mrs Griffith Jenkins to the
station and see her off. Netta had never believed it possible that she
could have cried at parting with her mother-in-law; but after she left
the house she wrung her hands in despair, and wept as if she had lost
her last earthly friend.

Still, she thought, Howel is kind, and loves me, so I will not mind what
else happens.

She ordered Justine to dress Minette, whilst she hurriedly finished such
preparations as she could make for her uncertain future. She found that
all Howel's jewels were already gone, so she had only to fill her
pockets and a bag with the best of her own and some plate and lock her
drawers. She took it for granted that Howel wanted the jewels for
himself, and that she would be obliged, when she returned home, to
secure other th