Lord Acorn proceeded straight to Lady Beck's; and, with much trouble and persuasion, she was induced to exhibit the note spoken of by Colonel Nile, which was still in her possession, for, like the colonel, she had been ill for some days, so had had no opportunity of playing it away. The old dowager was verging on her dotage, and could not, at first, be convinced that the earl was not going to take law proceedings against her for winning money of his daughter. He soothed her, copied the number by stealth, went home, and compared it with Lady Grace's pocketbook. _It was another of the notes!_ "What do you think of it, Grace?" cried the earl, in perplexity. "Can Cleveland have been owing money to Adela?" "I should imagine not," replied Lady Grace. "To think she should be such a little fool as to frequent a place where they play like that!" "But, papa, you knew of it." "I did not know old Sanely went in for those ruinous stakes. Five pounds, or so, in a night to risk--I thought no worse than that." Grace understood now. She had deemed her father indifferent. He was then looking at it from one point of view; she from another. "It wears a singular appearance," mused the earl. "To tell you the truth, Grace, I don't like the fact of these notes being traced to Adela. It looks--after the rumour of the absurd flirtation they carried on--almost as if she and Cleveland had gone snacks in the spoil. What now, Gracie? Are you going to fly?" For Lady Grace Chenevix had bounded from her chair in sudden agitation, her arms lifted as if to ward off some dread fear. "Sir! father! the thing has become clear to me. That I should not have suspected it before!--knowing what I did know." "Child," he cried, gazing at her in amazement, "what is the matter with you?" "Adela did this. I see it all. She drew the cheque. Charles Cleveland was only her instrument; and, in his infatuated attachment he has taken the guilt on himself, to shield her. Well may he have asserted his innocence to his father! Well may his conduct have appeared to us all so incomprehensible!" "Why, Grace, you are mad!" gasped the earl. "Accuse your sister of--of--forgery! Do you reflect on the meaning of your words?" "Father, do not look so sternly at me. I feel sure I am right. I assure you it is as if scales had fallen from my eyes, for I see it perfectly clearly. Adela wanted money for play: she had been drawn in, far deeper than any one suspected, sir, at Lady Sanely's gaming-table. It was Mr. Grubb's intention to refuse her further funds: no doubt he did refuse them: and then----" "How do you know it was his intention?" "Oh, papa, I do know it; never mind how, now; I say that Mr. Grubb must have refused her; and she, when this cheque-book fell into her hands----"