But there was literally nothing more than a hand-shake. Miss Layne, standing still in all humility, turned a little white, for she guessed that he was being sent from his home through her. Sir Geoffry held her hand for a moment. "I am going away, Mary. My mother will explain to you. I have done my best, and failed. Before Heaven, I have striven to the uttermost, for your sake and for mine, to make reparation; but it is not to be. I leave you to my mother; she is your friend; and you shall hear from me in a day or two. I am now going to see Mrs. Layne. Good-bye: God bless you always!" But, ere Sir Geoffry reached the hall, Lady Chavasse had run swiftly down, caught him, and was drawing him into a room. The fear had returned to her face. "I heard you say you were going to call on Mrs. Layne. Geoffry, this must not be." "_Not be!_" he repeated, in surprise. "Mother, I am obeying you in all essential things; but you cannot wish to reduce me to an utter craven. I owe an explanation to Mrs. Layne almost in the same degree that I owe it to you; and I shall certainly not quit Church Dykely until I have given it." "Oh, well--if it must be," she conceded, afraid still. "You--you will not be drawn in to act against me, Geoffry?" "No power on earth could draw me to that. You have my first and best allegiance; to which I bow before every other consideration, before every interest, whether of my own or of others. But for that, should I be acting as I am now? Fare you well, mother." She heard the carriage-door closed; she heard Sir Geoffry's order to the footman. Even for that order, he was cautious to give a plausible excuse. "Stop at Mrs. Layne's. I have to leave a message from her ladyship." The wheels of the carriage crunched the gravel, bearing off Sir Geoffry in the storm of sleet--which had begun to fall--and Lady Chavasse passed up the stairs again. Taking the hand of Mary--who had stood above like a statue--never moving--she led her, gently enough, into her dressing-room, and put her in a comfortable chair by the fire; and prepared for this second interview.