DEAR MRS. MEADOWS,--I do not know whether I ought to do what you ask me. But you have asked me very kindly--you have really been awfully good to me, in taking so much trouble. I know I'm a stupid fool--they always told me so at home. But I don't want to do anything mean, or to go back on a woman who once did me a good turn; with whom also once--for I may as well be quite honest about it--I thought I was in love. However, I see there is something in what you say, and I will wait a week before marrying Miss Flink. But if you tell my people--I suppose you will--don't let them imagine they can break it off--except for that one reason. And _I_ shan't lift a finger to break it off. I shall make no inquiries--I shall go on with the lawyers, and all that. My present intention is to marry Miss Flink--on the terms I have stated--in a week's time. If you do see my people--especially my father--tell them I'm awfully sorry to be such a nuisance to them. I got myself into the mess without meaning it, and now there's really only one way out. Thank you again. Yours gratefully, HERBERT DUNSTABLE. Lady Dunstable crushed the letter in her hand. All pretence of incredulity was gone. She began to walk stormily up and down. Doris sank back in her chair, watching her, conscious of the most strangely mingled feelings, a touch of womanish triumph indeed, a pleasing sense of retribution, but, welling up through it, something profound and tender. If _he_ should ever write such a letter to a stranger, while his mother was alive! Lady Dunstable stopped. "What chance is there of saving my son?" she said, peremptorily. "You will, of course, tell us all you know. Lord Dunstable must go to town at once." She touched an electric bell beside her. "Oh no!" cried Doris, springing up. "He mustn't go, please, until we have some more information. Miss Wigram is coming--this afternoon." Rachel Dunstable stood stupefied--with her hand on the bell. "Miss Wigram--coming." "Don't you see?" cried Doris. "She was to spend all yesterday afternoon and evening in seeing two or three people--people who know. There is a friend of my uncle's--an artist--who saw a great deal of Miss Flink, and got to know a lot about her. Of course he may not have been willing to say anything, but I think he probably would--he was so mad with her for a trick she played him in the middle of a big piece of work. And if he was able to put us on any useful track, then Miss Wigram was to come up here straight, and tell you everything she could. But I thought there would have been a telegram--from her--" Her voice dropped on a note of disappointment. There was a knock at the door. The butler entered, and at the same moment the luncheon gong echoed through the house.