“Can I see your mistress, Nina?” he asked, softly and kindly. “Nay, I have no wish to intrude, and will be here again in ten minutes’ time. Meanwhile, give Lady Elaine this note from me.” The maid took the scrap of paper from him, and when he returned in the time he had named he was immediately admitted by Nina. Lady Elaine was standing in the middle of the shabby little sitting-room, his note between her fingers, and at sight of her graceful, haughty figure and beautiful face, the viscount’s heart throbbed with its old passion. He stepped forward with what appeared to be warm impulsiveness, and gently took one of her hands between his. “I have heard something of the annoyance to which you have been subjected by that vulgar woman downstairs. Indeed, she telegraphed to me,” he added, with an air of candor, “and the result has not been pleasant to her. I believe that we have good and sufficient grounds to cause her co-guardianship to be rescinded. I applaud your determination to leave this wretched house, and only hope that I may be permitted to help you in some way.” “You are very kind, viscount,” Lady Elaine said, gratefully. “I scarcely knew how you would view my conduct.” “You could not believe that I would oppose you, Lady Elaine?” he said, softly. “I had no hand in bringing you here. I had no knowledge even of the late earl’s choice of executors until it was too late to offer a protest upon my own behalf at least. The position naturally prejudices me in your eyes.” “No! No!” the girl interjected. “As for Lady Gaynor, she merits nothing but my contempt. She is a violent and dangerous woman. This house is nightly the resort of gamblers, and it is wonderful the influence that she obtained over the late earl. I have myself lost fabulous sums of money among the card-sharpers who frequent the place. I make this confession with shame, but Lady Gaynor and I are open foes at last!” “I believe that I have misjudged you, and I am sorry, viscount,” said Elaine, a little penitently. It was so sweet to have a friend at this unlooked-for moment--a friend in one whom she had feared would be an enemy! “You are nearly ready to leave!” he observed, glancing around. “I shall be quite ready in an hour.” “And may I ask whither? I would like to take you to my uncle’s place--Rothwell Abbey--but I do not wish it to appear that I have any hand in shaping your course. At the same time I should like to help you.” “I intended going direct to a London hotel--I and my maid,” Elaine said, “and then seeking for a pretty home somewhere in the country. I have a few hundred pounds in money, and there is my private fortune. Now that I have your friendship, viscount, I know that no bar will be put against my deriving full benefit from that. You see my plans are very simple,” she added, pathetically; “I have no desire to meet those friends who have nothing but pity for me, and my soul sickens at the thought of gayety.”