“Nothing. I don’t move in Lady Jane’s world--but I do go sometimes to the opera. I saw you with her last night in her box; and I heard what was said in the stalls near me. You were openly spoken of as the favored man who was singled out from the rest by Lady Jane. Imagine what would happen if your wife heard that! You are wrong, Vanborough--you are in every way wrong. You alarm, you distress, you disappoint me. I never sought this explanation--but now it has come, I won’t shrink from it. Reconsider your conduct; reconsider what you have said to me--or you count me no longer among your friends. No! I want no farther talk about it now. We are both getting hot--we may end in saying what had better have been left unsaid. Once more, let us change the subject. You wrote me word that you wanted me here to-day, because you needed my advice on a matter of some importance. What is it?” Silence followed that question. Mr. Vanborough’s face betrayed signs of embarrassment. He poured himself out another glass of wine, and drank it at a draught before he replied. “It’s not so easy to tell you what I want,” he said, “after the tone you have taken with me about my wife.” Mr. Kendrew looked surprised. “Is Mrs. Vanborough concerned in the matter?” he asked. “Yes.” “Does she know about it?” “No.” “Have you kept the thing a secret out of regard for _her?_” “Yes.” “Have I any right to advise on it?” “You have the right of an old friend.” “Then, why not tell me frankly what it is?” There was another moment of embarrassment on Mr. Vanborough’s part. “It will come better,” he answered, “from a third person, whom I expect here every minute. He is in possession of all the facts--and he is better able to state them than I am.” “Who is the person?” “My friend, Delamayn.” “Your lawyer?” “Yes--the junior partner in the firm of Delamayn, Hawke, and Delamayn. Do you know him?” “I am acquainted with him. His wife’s family were friends of mine before he married. I don’t like him.” “You’re rather hard to please to-day! Delamayn is a rising man, if ever there was one yet. A man with a career before him, and with courage enough to pursue it. He is going to leave the Firm, and try his luck at the Bar. Every body says he will do great things. What’s your objection to him?” “I have no objection whatever. We meet with people occasionally whom we dislike without knowing why. Without knowing why, I dislike Mr. Delamayn.” “Whatever you do you must put up with him this evening. He will be here directly.” He was there at that moment. The servant opened the door, and announced--“Mr. Delamayn.” III.