The light in the hallway suddenly smote her in the face, and she realised for the first time that her eyes were tightly closed, as if to shut out some abhorrent sight. “Lydia!” Her mother was standing in the open door. “Oh, you are awake?” Mrs Desmond stared in amazement at the girl's figure. “What is it, mother? Tell me what has happened? Is he--------” “He wants to speak to you. He is on the wire. His voice sounds queer----” The girl sprang out of bed and hurried to the telephone. “Don't go away, mother--stay here,” she cried as she sped past the white-clad figure in the doorway. Mrs Desmond flattened herself against the wall and remained there as motionless as a statue, her sombre gaze fixed on her daughter's face. “Yes, Frederic, it is I, Lydia. What is it, dear?” Her voice was high and thin. His words came jerking over the wire, sharp and querulous. She closed her eyes in anticipation of the blow, her body rigid. “I'm sorry to disturb you,” he was saying, “but I just had to call you up.” The words were disjointed, as if he forced them from his lips in a supreme effort at coherency. “Yes, yes--it's all right. I don't mind. You did right. What is it?” “I want you to release me from my promise.” “Release you? Oh, Freddy!” It was a wail that issued from her lips. Her body sagged limply, she steadied herself by leaning against the wall for support. “You've got to, Lydia. There's no other way. Something has happened to-night, dear. You've got to------” “Has he--has he------” Her throat closed up as if gripped by a strong hand. “I'm sorry to drag you out of bed to tell you------” “Freddy, Freddy!” “To tell you that I must withdraw my promise, even if you refuse to release me. Oh, I'm not excited, I'm not crazy, I'm not drunk! I never was so steady in my life. To-night has made a man of me. I know just where I stand at last. Now go back to bed, dearest, and don't worry about anything. I couldn't go ahead until I'd asked you to release me from the promise I made.” “You mean--the promise--but, Freddy, I can't release you. I love you. I _will_ be your wife, no matter what has happened, no matter------” “Oh, Lord, Lyddy--it isn't that! It's the other--the promise to say nothing to my father------” “Oh!” she sighed weakly, a vast wave of relief almost suffocating her. “He has made it impossible for me to go on without------” “Where are you, Frederic?” she cried in sudden alarm. “Oh, I'm all right. I shan't go home, you may be sure of that. To-morrow will be time enough.” “Where are you? I must know. How can I reach you by telephone--”