'Oh, yes! I remember. I am to play another part, and quite a new one. You too are about to play a new part--one not generally desired--quite the stage villain.' He made a gesture of impatience. 'Consider, however,' she went on quickly, before he could speak. 'Do you think this morning--the day after yesterday--quite propitious for your purpose?' 'What do you mean?' he asked quickly. 'Why not the day after yesterday?' 'Nothing. Still, if I might advise----' 'Zoe, you know nothing at all. And time presses. If there was reason, a week ago, for me to be the reputed and accepted lover of this girl, there is tenfold more reason now. You don't know, I say. For Heaven's sake don't spoil things now by any interference.' He was at least in earnest. Mrs. Elstree contemplated him with curiosity. It seemed as if she had never seen him really in earnest before. But now she understood. He knew by this time that Armorel had discovered the source, the origins, of his greatness. She might destroy him by a word. This knowledge would pierce the hide of the most pachydermatous: his strength, you see, was like that of Samson--it depended on a secret: it also now resembled that of Samson in that it lay at the mercy of a woman. 'Alec,' said Mrs. Elstree, softly, 'you were greatly moved last night by several things--by the play, by the picture, by the song. I watched you. While the rest were listening to the play, I watched you. The room was dark, and you thought no one could see you. But I could make out your features. Armorel watched you, too, but for other motives. I was wondering. She was triumphant. You know why?' 'What do you know?' 'Your face, which is generally so well under command, expressed surprise, rage, disgust, and terror--all these passions, dear Alec. On the stage we study how to express them. We represent an exaggeration so that the gallery shall understand, and we call it Art. But I know the symptoms.' 'What else do you know, I ask?' 'This morning you are nervous and agitated. You are afraid of something. Alec, you know what I think of the cruelty and hardheartedness of this project of yours--to sustain your credit on an engagement which will certainly not last a month--I could not possibly suffer the girl to be entangled longer than that--now give it over.' 'I cannot give it over: it is my only chance. Zoe, you don't know the mischief she has done me, and will do me again. It is ruin--ruin!' 'Well then, Alec, don't go after her to-day. Indeed, I advise you not. You are not in a condition to approach the subject, and she is not in a condition to be approached. I do not ask your reasons, or the kind of mischief you mean. I sit here and watch. In the course of time I find out all things.' 'How much do you know, Zoe? What have you found out?'