Geraldine sat silent a moment, struggling to preserve her calm. She had found out what she wished to know. She understood now why Mappin had insisted on the dangers of the journey and made light of the question of food. He had, with scarcely conceivable cruelty, cut off the party's supplies. Still, he must not suspect that she knew this. With an effort she took up another piece of music. "We are anxious for news of the expedition, and it's comforting to remember that they had an excellent guide," she said. "But I'll play you something." Before the piece was finished, her father came in and she left him to entertain their guest. Seeking her room she sat down, feeling suddenly limp from strain. That she was humbled and ashamed did not matter; she was filled, on the one hand, with hatred and loathing for the man she had led on, and, on the other, with anxiety for Andrew. CHAPTER XX THE RESCUE PARTY When Mappin left, Frobisher went to his smoking-room, where he was surprised to find Geraldine waiting for him. "I think," he said with mock severity, "it was mean of you to leave Mr. Mappin on my hands, particularly as I don't suppose his visit was made on my account." "Did he bore you very badly?" Geraldine inquired. "We have had guests here whom I'd rather entertain; but for your aunt's sake I try to be civil. After all, we have known the man for a long while." "I feel that we have been very patient in putting up with him! He's insufferable!" "Ah!" said Frobisher, taking out a cigar. "Then you didn't happen to be here by accident? Sit down and we'll have a talk." Geraldine took the chair he indicated. "I have something to tell you," she said with an effort. "Mappin asked me to marry him a little while ago." "It strikes me as curious that this is the first I've heard of it." "I was ashamed to tell you," Geraldine admitted, shyly. "I felt degraded. Besides, you must have guessed----" "Yes. I had some idea of the man's ambitions; in my opinion, he's too cold-blooded to be influenced by any more tender sentiment. We'll take it for granted that you refused him. Nowadays it seems to be a father's business to sanction and not to interfere; but I really think if you had wanted to marry the fellow I'd have been as firm as adamant. However, this is not to the purpose. Why do you tell me about it now?" "You'll see presently. But try to remember that he has other feelings than avarice. The man's unscrupulous and full of savage cruelty." "Well?" "To begin with, will you read this? It's from Ethel Hillyard, whom I met in London. You have heard me speak of her." She gave him a letter containing sufficient information about the house of Allinson to explain why Andrew had gone to Canada. His character and his relations with Hathersage and the rest of the family were cleverly sketched. Frobisher studied it carefully before he looked up.