George entered. He was surprised to see the deputation, but addressed himself exclusively to Blodwell. "Here I am, sir. What is it?" "These gentlemen," said Mr. Blodwell, "think that the time has come for you to withdraw your allegations or to prove them." "You see, George," said Vane, "it's not fair to leave Mrs. Witt under this indefinite stigma." "Far from it," said Fitzderham. George stood with his back against the mantel-piece. "I quite agree," he said. "Let's see--to-day's Saturday. When is the wedding, if there----?" "Monday week," said Blodwell, hastily, fearing an explosion from Gerald. "Very well. On Tuesday----" "A telegram for you, sir," said Timms, entering. "Excuse me," said George. He opened and read his telegram. It ran, "Yes--my handwriting. Will return by next post registered--Horne, Bournemouth." "On Monday," continued George, "at five o'clock in the afternoon, I will prove all I said, or withdraw it." Gerald looked uneasy, but he tried to think, or at least to appear to think, that George's delay was only to make his surrender less abrupt. "Very well! Shall we meet here?" "No," said Gerald. "Mrs. Witt ought to be present." "Is that desirable?" asked George. "Of course it is." "As you please. I should say not. But ask her, and be guided by her wishes." "Well, then, at Lord Tottlebury's?" suggested Vane. "By all means," said George. And, with a slight nod, he left the room. "I hope," said Mr. Blodwell, "that you have done well in forcing matters to an extremity." "Couldn't help it," said Vane, briefly. And the council broke up. Mrs. Horne's telegram made George's position complete. It was impossible for Neaera to struggle against such evidence, and his triumph was assured from the moment when he produced the original document and contrasted it with Neaera's doctored copy. Besides, Mrs. Bort was in the background, if necessary; and although an impulse of pity had led him to shield Neaera at Liverpool, he was in no way debarred by that from summoning Mrs. Bort to his assistance if he wanted her. The Neston honour was safe, an impostor exposed, and the cause of morality, respectability, truth, and decency powerfully forwarded. Above all, George himself was enabled to rout his enemies, to bring a blush to the unblushing cheek of the _Bull's-eye_, and to meet his friends without feeling that perhaps they were ashamed to be seen talking to him.