It was some seconds before she regained sufficient self-control to enable her to submit her purse to a fresh examination. This time she went through it slowly, and with method. Only to discover that her worst fears were realised. It contained one of her visiting cards--"Mrs Frank Bankes, The Chestnuts, Tuesdays, 4 to 6." Would she ever be there again on Tuesdays to receive her guests? The bill for the Christmas present which she had bought for Frank; when he had discovered her absence would he find that present? Would he dream of how she had schemed and schemed to buy for him the very thing which she believed he wanted? Would he realise with what a halo of love she had meant to enshrine it? "Oh, Frank, how I love you! If only you knew." But apparently he was not likely to know for some considerable time to come, for, besides the visiting-card and the bill, the entire contents of her purse consisted of two postage stamps and a threepenny bit. Her ticket cost nine shillings and ninepence. She remembered tendering half a sovereign to the booking-clerk and receiving threepence change; and now it seemed that that half sovereign had been all the money she had brought away with her. How was she to return; to purchase even a third-class ticket to take her back again; to send a telegram advising her husband of the plight she was in, with threepence for her all? CHAPTER II.--THE WOMAN WHO MET HER As she remained in a state of semi-stupefaction, mistily wondering what sort of nightmare Christmas this was going to be for her--for whom all the world had been full of the promise of good things only an hour or two ago!--the train rumbled into Liverpool Street. As she sat endeavouring to collect her thoughts, so as to decide upon some course of action, the carriage door was opened, and a woman looked in. "From Chelmsford?" Perceiving that the question was addressed to her, Mrs Bankes, still half-dazed, looked up, and answered,-- "No, from Colchester." "That's right! Be quick, the train's late,--I've been waiting for you." "For me?" "Yes, for you. I've had instructions to meet you by this train." Edith rose from her seat, instantly conscious that a sense of relief was being born within her. "You've had--instructions? When?" "Not half an hour ago. It wasn't certain that you were coming by this train, but in case you did I was to meet you and see you safe." The sensation of relief was almost more than she could bear. How good he was! Frank had accurately gauged the extent of her folly, and had taken instant steps to guard her from the consequences of her own misconduct. How little was she deserving of such a husband? With a blinding mist before her eyes she got out on to the platform. "Come," said the woman. "I've a cab waiting." "A cab--shall we want a cab?"