moment's struggle, composed herself again. 'Did you
permit Ferrari,' she resumed, 'to make sure of being chosen for our
courier by using your name?'

Agnes did not reply with her customary directness. Trifling as it was,
the reference to Montbarry, proceeding from that woman of all others,
confused and agitated her.

'I have known Ferrari's wife for many years,' she began. 'And I take
an interest--'

Lady Montbarry abruptly lifted her hands with a gesture of entreaty.
'Ah, Miss Lockwood, don't waste time by talking of his wife! Answer my
plain question, plainly!'

'Let me answer her,' Henry whispered. 'I will undertake to speak
plainly enough.'

Agnes refused by a gesture. Lady Montbarry's interruption had roused
her sense of what was due to herself. She resumed her reply in plainer
terms.

'When Ferrari wrote to the late Lord Montbarry,' she said, 'he did
certainly mention my name.'

Even now, she had innocently failed to see the object which her visitor
had in view. Lady Montbarry's impatience became ungovernable. She
started to her feet, and advanced to Agnes.

'Was it with your knowledge and permission that Ferrari used your
name?' she asked. 'The whole soul of my question is in that. For
God's sake answer me--Yes, or No!'

'Yes.'

That one word struck Lady Montbarry as a blow might have struck her.
The fierce life that had animated her face the instant before, faded
out of it suddenly, and left her like a woman turned to stone. She
stood, mechanically confronting Agnes, with a stillness so wrapt and
perfect that not even the breath she drew was perceptible to the two
persons who were looking at her.

Henry spoke to her roughly. 'Rouse yourself,' he said. 'You have
received your answer.'

She looked round at him. 'I have received my Sentence,' she
rejoined--and turned slowly to leave the room.

To Henry's astonishment, Agnes stopped her. 'Wait a moment, Lady
Montbarry. I have something to ask on my side. You have spoken of
Ferrari. I wish to speak of him too.'

Lady Montbarry bent her head in silence. Her hand trembled as she took
out her handkerchief, and passed it over her forehead. Agnes detected
the trembling, and shrank back a step. 'Is the subject painful to
you?' she asked timidly.

Still silent, Lady Montbarry invited her by a wave of the hand to go
on. Henry approached, attentively watching his sister-in-law. Agnes
went on.

'No trace of Ferrari has been discovered in England,' she