s one in the house of whom he never reported anything, but to
whom, on the contrary, he told everything he thought she would care to
know. Till Sepia came, he had been conventionally faithful--faithful
with the faith of a lackey, that is--but she had found no difficulty in
making of him, in respect of her, a spy upon his master.

I will now relate what passed while Mary sat deaf in the corner.

Mr. Redmain asked his visitor what he would have, as if, although it
was quite early, he must, as a matter of course, stand in need of
refreshment. He made choice of brandy and soda-water, and the bell was
rung. A good deal of conversation followed about a disputed point in a
late game of cards at one of the clubs.

The talk then veered in another direction--that of personal adventure,
so guided by Mr. Redmain. He told extravagant stories about himself and
his doings, in particular various _ruses_ by which he had contrived to
lay his hands on money. And whatever he told, his guest capped,
narrating trick upon trick to which on different occasions he had had
recourse. At all of them Mr. Redmain laughed heartily, and applauded
their cleverness extravagantly, though some of them were downright
swindling.

At last Mr. Redmain told how he had once got money out of a lady. I do
not believe there was a word of truth in it. But it was capped by the
other with a narrative that seemed specially pleasing to the listener.
In the midst of a burst of laughter, he rose and rang the bell. Count
Galofta thought it was to order something more in the way of
"refreshment," and was not a little surprised when he heard his host
desire the man to request the favor of Miss Yolland's presence. But the
Count had not studied non-expression in vain, and had brought it to a
degree of perfection not easily disturbed. Casting a glance at him as
he gave the message, Mr. Redmain could read nothing; but this was in
itself suspicious to him--and justly, for the man ought to have been
surprised at such a close to the conversation they had been having.

Sepia had been told that Galofta was in the study, and therefore
received the summons thither--a thing that had never happened
before--with the greater alarm. She made, consequently, what
preparation she could against surprise. Thoroughly capable of managing
her features, her anxiety was sufficient nevertheless to deprive her of
power over her complexion, and she entered the room with the pallor
peculiar to the