It was still daylight here, but it was growing shadowy among the avenues in Kensington Gardens. The gate near which Valentine waited was not to be seen from the windows of dining or drawing-room. The housemaid ran off to summon Miss Paget; and in less than five minutes Diana appeared, dressed in her hat and garden jacket. "Will you come out into the road with me, dear?" asked Valentine. "I have something serious to say to you." "And I am so anxious to hear what the Doctor has said," answered Diana, as she took Valentine's arm. The road before the Lawn was very quiet at this hour of the evening, and here they were safely beyond Mr. Sheldon's ken. "Tell me the Doctor's opinion, Valentine," Diana said, eagerly. "Does he think the case very serious?" "He does. It is more serious than you or I could have imagined, if Providence had not helped me to discover the truth." "What do you mean, Valentine?" He gave her in brief the story of his day's work. She listened to him breathlessly, but uttered no exclamation until his story was finished. "It is most horrible," she said at last; "but I believe it is most true. There has been so much in that man's conduct that has mystified me; and _this_ explains all. But what earthly motive can have prompted this hideous crime?" "He believes that he has a beneficial interest in her death. I cannot fully understand his motive; but, rely upon it, there is a motive, and a sufficient one. And I have let that man delude me into belief in his honesty after I had been warned against him! But there is no time for regrets. Diana, I look to you to help me in saving my dear love." "It is not too late to save her?" "Dr. Jedd will commit himself to no positive statement. He tells me she is in danger, but he does not refuse all hope. Now listen, my dear. In that house I have only two people to help me--Ann Woolper and yourself. Ann Woolper I hold only by a feeble bond. I think she will be true to us; but I am not sure of her. Sheldon's influence over her is a powerful one; and God knows what concession he might extort from her. She is the ostensible guardian of Charlotte's room; you must contrive to be the real guardian. You must keep custody over the custodian. How is your room situated in relation to Charlotte's room?" "The doors of the two rooms are exactly opposite." "Providence favours us there. Can you keep watch over Charlotte's door from your room without making your guardianship too apparent?" "I can." "Day and night?" "Day and night." "God bless you, dear! Her life may be saved by your fidelity." "I would do as much to render her a smaller service."