When the gentlemen came up after dinner Dorothy made room on the sofa on which she was sitting for an old friend who walked across to her. Mr. Singleton was a near neighbour down in Lincolnshire; he was a bachelor, and Dorothy had always been a great pet of his. 'Well, my dear,' he said, as he took a seat beside her, 'I am heartily glad to see you looking quite yourself again to-night, and to know that I have been able to help my little favourite out of a scrape.' Dorothy's eyes opened wide. 'To help me out of a scrape, Mr. Singleton! Why, what scrape have you helped me out of?' 'I beg your pardon, my dear,' he said hastily. 'I told you we would never speak of the matter again, and here I am, like an old fool, bringing it up the very first time I meet you.' Dorothy's face paled. 'Mr. Singleton,' she said, 'I seem to be surrounded by mysteries. Do I understand you to say that you have done me some kindness lately--helped me out of some scrape?' 'Well, my dear, those were your own words,' he replied, looking surprised in turn; 'but please do not let us say anything more about it.' Dorothy sat quiet for a minute, then she made a sign to her father, who was standing at the other side of the room, to come across to her. 'Father,' she said, 'will you ask Mr. Singleton to drive home with us; I am afraid there is some fresh trouble, and, at any rate, I must speak to him, and this is not the place for questions. Please let us go as soon as the carriage comes. Now, will you please go away, Mr. Singleton, and leave me to myself for a minute or two, for my head is in a whirl?' 'But, my dear,' he began, but was stopped by an impatient wave of Dorothy's hand. 'What is it, Singleton?' Mr. Hawtrey asked, as they went across the room. 'I am completely puzzled,' he replied; 'what Dorothy means by asking me to come with you, and to answer questions, is a complete mystery to me. Please don't ask me any questions now. I have evidently put my foot into it somehow, though I have not the least idea how.' Ten minutes later the carriage was announced. As she took her place in it, Dorothy said, 'Don't ask any questions until we are at home.' The two men were far too puzzled to talk on any indifferent subject. Not a word was spoken until they arrived at Chester Square. 'Has Mrs. Daintree gone to bed?' Dorothy asked the footman. 'Yes, Miss Hawtrey; she went a quarter of an hour ago.' 'Are the lights still burning in the drawing-room?' 'Yes, miss.' They went upstairs. 'Now, Dorothy, what does all this mean?' her father asked, impatiently. 'That is what we have got to learn, father. Mr. Singleton congratulated me on having recovered my spirits, and took some credit to himself for having helped me out of a scrape. As I do not in the least know what he means, I want him to give you and me the particulars.'