Miss Herbert left the Academy with an echo of Gerald's extravagant statement that life or death hung upon her love sounding in her ears. The conversation she had overheard distressed her greatly. The thought that her treachery had ruined a life full of promise would not be dismissed. She spent a most miserable day, and its misery was not diminished by the truth, which she could no longer conceal from herself, that she still loved Gerald. She loved him more than ever. Too late! too late! And Eugenia Herbert wept, as many others have wept, that the past could not be undone. Sir Ralph Norgate and James Herbert dined that evening at Mrs. Cathcart's. Their society was little comfort to Eugenia. She felt now that she hated her lover--hated his polite, hollow society ways and expressions--hated that _blasé_ look which so often settled on his face. She had never cared for him. Their love-making had been of a frigid kind--not, be it said, by Sir Ralph's wish. He was proud of, and perhaps really fond of, the beautiful girl he had bought; so it was scarcely fair that Eugenia should compare his polite wooing with that of the impassioned boy's, which recked no obstacles--heeded no consequences. Her bitter thoughts made it impossible for her to sit out the dinner. Very soon she pleaded headache and went to her own room to resume her self-revilings. She made no further attempt to banish Gerald from her thoughts. She lived again every moment she had spent in his company--heard again every word of wild love--felt his hand close on hers--his lips press her own--and shuddered as the dismal words "Life or death," seemed echoing through her ears. If she could but undo the past! Why not! The thought rushed through her. What hindered her save the false gods to whom she had bent? She was still legally free. Gerald was in the same town. Why should she heed her friends? Why trouble as to what people would think or say? By one bold step she could right everything. If to-morrow--nay, this very hour--she went to Gerald and bade him take her and hold her against all, she knew he would do so. He would forgive. To him her action would not seem bold or unmaidenly. In his eyes she would rank as high as ever; and what mattered the rest? To-morrow they might be miles away, and the bliss of being Gerald's wife might well compensate for what people would say about her conduct. She herself could forget all, save that she was now bound forever to the man she loved! She would do it. With feverish impatience she threw off her rich dress and wrapped herself in a plain cloak. She put on the quietest hat she could find, stole down stairs, and was out of the house before second thoughts had time to bring irresolution. Her heart beat wildly. She hailed a cab and was driven to Nelson Studios. On the way she remembered it was an unlikely hour to find an artist in his studio, but, nevertheless, now she had set out, resolved to complete her journey.