Angela's
own maid arrived with a message. Her ladyship would be glad if I could
spare her a few moments in the drawing-room as soon as possible.

Lady Angela was standing upon the hearthrug. I stepped a little way
across the threshold and stopped short. She held out her hand to me
with a quiet laugh.

"Have you forgotten me?" she asked, "or am I so alarming?"

I set my teeth and moved towards her.

"You took my breath away," I said, with an ease which I was very far
from feeling. "Remember that I have come from Braster."

I do not know what she wore. Her gown seemed to me to be of some soft
crepe or silk, and the colour of it was a smoky misty blue. There were
pearls around her neck, and her hair, arranged with exquisite
simplicity, seemed to be drawn back from her face and arranged low down
on the back of her neck. She had still the fresh delightful colour
which had been in her cheeks when she left Braster, and the smile with
which she welcomed me was as delightful as ever.

"This is a charming arrangement," she declared. "You know that you are
such an important person, and have to be watched so closely, that you
are to stay here. I went up myself with the housekeeper to see to your
rooms. I do hope that you will be comfortable."

"Comfortable is not the word," I answered. "I have never been used to
such luxury."

She laughed.

"Dear me!" she said. "I have so much to tell you, and the carriage is
waiting already. Thank goodness we dine alone to-morrow night. But
there is one thing which I must tell you at once. Sir Michael Trogoldy
is in town, you know. He took me in to dinner at Amberley House last
night, and we talked about you."

"I had a letter from Sir Michael a few days ago," I answered. "He made
a proposition to me--and asked me to call and see him."

Something in my voice, I suppose, betrayed my feelings. She laid her
hand upon my arm.

"Mr. Ducaine," she said, "I do hope that you mean to be reasonable.
Sir Michael is a dear old man."

"He is my mother's brother," I answered, "and he left me to starve."

"He had not the least idea," she declared, "that you were not reasonably
well off. He is most interested in hearing about you, and he was
delighted to have you accept the allowance he offered you. You will go
and see him?"

"Yes, I shall go," I promised. "I scarcely see the use of it, but I
will go."

"You must not be foolish," she said softly. "Sir Michael is very rich>
and you are his o