Before they reached Hyde Park Corner Howel hailed her from a cab. 'Netta, would you rather go into Wales to my mother or come with me?' said Howel. 'With you, Howel, anywhere, not into Wales for the world.' Howel leaned back into a corner of the cab, and did not speak again. Netta did not know where they went, but they got into four cabs in succession, driving a certain distance in one, then paying the driver, then walking into another street and hailing a fresh vehicle. At last they reached the far east of London, and found themselves in a dirty, wretched street, amongst a squalid population. 'Give me the bag, and take care of your pocket,' said Howel, as they walked along the pavement. 'Keep close to me.' They reached the house where Howel had taken a lodging the previous day. He walked through the passage, and bade his wife and child follow him; ascended two pair of stairs, and entered a large and tolerably respectable room. There was a letter on the table, which he opened at once. It contained the following lines:-- 'The double S are comparing notes, and various rumours are in circulation amongst that set.' He put the letter in his pocket, and, turning to Netta, told her to go into the bedroom and take off her own and Minette's bonnet, as they must stay for a little while where they were. 'Not here, papa,' said Minette, beginning to cry. 'I don't like this place.' 'Hold your tongue!' said her father sternly, as Netta led her out of the room. 'Netta,' whispered Howel, 'our name is Mills here--just for a time only.' When Netta went into the close, dark bedroom at the back of the sitting-room, she took off her sobbing child's things, set her on her lap, and by degrees soothed her to sleep. She laid her on such a bed as she had assuredly never slept on before, and then returned to Howel. She stood before him pale and resolute. He was pacing the room rapidly, and muttering to himself. 'Howel, I must know all! What is the matter? What is to become of us?' she said. 'We must not be seen by our friends for a time, dear Netta, because I am liable to be arrested. Will you mind staying here a day or two alone? I must go away for a short time on business but will return and remove you when it is settled. You are better here than at home, as everything will be seized. You are in Rowland's parish, if the worst should come to the worst; but I don't want him to know anything about me, as it will be all right again by-and-by.' 'Howel, I asked Captain Dancy not to insist upon that money.' 'You did! That is why he let me off with half for another month. What did he say?' 'He said, Howel, that if I would go to France with him he would forgive your debt.' 'And you, Netta?' Howel clenched his fist. 'And I, Howel? I left the room, and have never seen him since. He called after, but I could not speak to him again. How could I?'