that I love intrigue,
excitement and danger. That is what made me join your Order, and really
I have had quite a little excitement out of it, for which I suppose I
ought to thank you. But as for the rest, why, you are talking rubbish.
I would go to South America to-morrow with the right man, but with you,
why, it won't bear talking about. It makes me angry to think that you
should believe me capable of such shocking taste as to dream of going
away with you."

He flung himself from the room. Lady Carey went back to her coffee and
letters. She sent for Annette.

"Annette," she directed, "we shall go to Melton to-morrow. Wire Haggis
to have the Lodge in order, and carriages to meet the midday train. I
daresay I shall take a few people down with me. Let George go around
to Tattershalls at once and make an appointment for me there at three
o'clock this afternoon. Look out my habits and boots, too, Annette."

Lady Carey leaned back in her chair for a moment with half-closed eyes.

"I think," she murmured, "that some of us in our youth must have
drunk from some poisoned cup, something which turned our blood into
quicksilver. I must live, or I must die. I must have excitement every
hour, every second, or break down. There are others too--many others.
No wonder that that idiot of a man in Harley Street talked to me gravely
about my heart. No excitement. A quiet life! Bah! Such wishy-washy
coffee and only one cigarette."

She lit it and stood up on the hearthrug. Her eyes were half closed,
every vestige of colour had left her cheeks, her hand was pressed hard
to her side. For a few minutes she seemed to struggle for breath. Then
with a little lurch as though still giddy, she stooped, and picking up
her fallen cigarette, thrust it defiantly between her teeth.

"Not this way," she muttered. "From a horse's back if I can with the air
rushing by, and the hot joy of it in one's heart... Only I hope it won't
hurt the poor old gee... Come in, Annette. What a time you've been,
child."

******

The Emperor sent for Mr. Sabin. He declined to recognise his incognito.

"Monsieur le Duc," he said, "if proof of your story were needed it is
here. The Prince of Saxe Leinitzer has ignored my summons. He has fled
to South America."

Mr. Sabin bowed.

"A most interesting country," he murmured, "for the Prince."

"You yourself are free to go when and where you will. You need no longer
have any fears. The Order does not exist. I have c