"I believe you are quite right so far as regards the present, at any rate," someone remarked, from the depths of an easy chair. "You see, her sister is married to Ferringhall, isn't she? and she herself must be drawing no end of a good screw here. I always say that it's poverty before everything that makes a girl skip the line." Ennison escaped. He was afraid if he stayed that he would make a fool of himself. He walked through the misty September night to his rooms. On his way he made a slight divergence from the direct route and paused for a moment outside the flat where Anna was now living. It was nearly one o'clock; but there were lights still in all her windows. Suddenly the door of the flat opened and closed. A man came out, and walking recklessly, almost cannoned into Ennison. He mumbled an apology and then stopped short. "It's Ennison, isn't it?" he exclaimed. "What the devil are you doing star-gazing here?" Ennison looked at him in surprise. "I might return the compliment, Courtlaw," he answered, "by asking why the devil you come lurching on to the pavement like a drunken man." Courtlaw was pale and dishevelled. He was carelessly dressed, and there were marks of unrest upon his features. He pointed to where the lights still burned in Anna's windows. "What do you think of that farce?" he exclaimed bitterly. "You are one of those who must know all about it. Was there ever such madness?" "I am afraid that I don't understand," Ennison answered. "You seem to have come from Miss Pellissier's rooms. I had no idea even that she was a friend of yours." Courtlaw laughed hardly. His eyes were red. He was in a curious state of desperation. "Nor am I now," he answered. "I have spoken too many truths to-night. Why do women take to lies and deceit and trickery as naturally as a duck to water?" "You are not alluding, I hope, to Miss Pellissier?" Ennison said stiffly. "Why not? Isn't the whole thing a lie? Isn't her reputation, this husband of hers, the 'Alcide' business, isn't it all a cursed juggle? She hasn't the right to do it. I----" He stopped short. He had the air of a man who has said too much. Ennison was deeply interested. "I should like to understand you," he said. "I knew Miss Pellissier in Paris at the 'Ambassador's,' and I know her now, but I am convinced that there is some mystery in connexion with her change of life. She is curiously altered in many ways. Is there any truth, do you suppose, in this rumoured marriage?" "I know nothing," Courtlaw answered hurriedly. "Ask me nothing. I will not talk to you about Miss Pellissier or her affairs." "You are not yourself to-night, Courtlaw," Ennison said. "Come to my rooms and have a drink." Courtlaw refused brusquely, almost rudely. "I am off to-night," he said. "I am going to America. I have work there. I ought to have gone long ago. Will you answer me a question first?" "If I can," Ennison said.