"Well, thank Heaven for that. Another period of suspense of the kind would about kill Mercy, and finish off the family," cried Mrs. Curwen. "I’m off Spanish investments altogether. And what’s going to happen next? Of course it’ll be something unusual. There’s no musty conventionality about your doings just now." "And where is Sarita?" asked Madame Chansette. "I wish I knew, my dear madame. She was arrested at the same time as I; and if I knew, I could do something to help her. But that’s just the pith and kernel of my trouble. As to what will come next I have not a much clearer idea than you, Mrs. Curwen. But something will probably happen to-morrow." "We may be sure of that," she returned quickly. "And when can we all go away to some safe un-dynamity country?" "I think I shall be able to answer that better to-morrow." "It’s all to-morrow, it seems to me. And in the meantime don’t you think you’d better go to bed somewhere? You’re about fagged out." "I am too anxious to sleep." "And when was anxiety relieved by sitting up all night and worrying with it? There, I’ve rung the bell, and you can tell the waiter to have a room got ready instantly for you. We shall all feel easier if we know you’re in the place. I’m sure you can’t do anything to-night, and by the morning you’ll have a clear head, some more plans, and enough energy for another burst of this kind of thing." When the waiter came I yielded, under protest, and ordered a room. "I must have a long chat with Mayhew first," I said. "Not to-night, if Mercy and I have any influence with Mr. Mayhew," she returned, and Mercy agreed. Then, to my surprise, Mayhew, in a half-shamefaced but very serious manner, said: "I think Mrs. Curwen is right, Ferdinand." "What, you as well, Silas?" and as I looked at him he smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "No one thinks of questioning Mrs. Curwen’s commands," he answered. "Oh, already? Then I’d better give in, too," and with that I went, feeling indeed the truth of what she said—that I could do nothing that night. She was right, also, that I was in sore need of rest, and, despite my anxieties and my declaration that sleep would be impossible, my head was no sooner on the pillow than I fell into deep slumber, which lasted until a sluggard’s hour on the following morning. It was ten o’clock before I awoke. I found Mrs. Curwen alone, and my vexation at having been allowed to lie so late must have shown in my face, for she said directly: "There’s no one to blame but me, Lord Glisfoyle. I would not allow you to be called. I don’t believe in my prescriptions being half taken." "I have a great deal to do," I answered, somewhat ungraciously. "That’s no reason why you should try to do it with half your energies sapped for want of sleep. Mr. Mayhew has been here for you and tried to get to you; but I wouldn’t let him," she said assertively. "He is learning obedience diligently, it seems," I observed.