"Yes, the world has been very kind to me," Lady Gore said, "and all that is delightful. But it is the big thing that matters. Do you remember that there was some famous Greek who said when his chosen friend and companion died, 'The theatre of my actions has fallen'?" Rachel's face lighted up in quick response. "When I am gone," her mother went on, "don't let your father feel that the theatre of _his_ actions has fallen--take my place, surround him with love and sympathy." "I will, indeed I will," said Rachel. "What a man needs," said Lady Gore, "is some one to believe in him." "My father will never be in want of that," said Rachel, with heartfelt conviction. "Mother," she added, "I never will forget what I am saying now, and you may believe it and you may be happy about it. I won't leave my father; he shall come first, I promise, whatever happens." "First?" said Lady Gore gently. "No, Rachel, not that; it is right that your husband should come first." "The people," said Rachel smiling, "whose husbands come first have not had a father and mother like mine." There was a knock at the house door. Rachel sprang hurriedly to her feet, the colour flying into her cheeks. Lady Gore looked at her. She had never before seen in Rachel's face what she saw there now. "I must take off my things," the girl said, catching up her gloves and veil. "Don't be very long," said her mother. "I'll--I'll--see," Rachel said, and she suddenly bent over her mother and kissed her, then went quickly out by one door as the other was thrown open to admit a visitor. CHAPTER V Francis Rendel came into the room with his usual air of ceremony, amounting almost to stiffness. Then, as he realised that his hostess was alone, his face lighted up and he came eagerly towards her. "This _is_ a piece of good fortune, to find you alone," he said. "I was afraid I should find you surrounded." "It is early yet," Lady Gore said, with a smile. "I know, yes," Rendel said. "I must apologise for coming at this time, but I wanted very much to see you----" He paused. "I am delighted to see you at any time," Lady Gore said. "It is so good of you," he answered, in the tone of one who is thinking of the next thing he is going to say. There was a silence. "I hope you enjoyed yourself at Maidenhead?" said Lady Gore. "Very, very much," Rendel answered with an air of penetrated conviction. There was another pause. Then he suddenly said, "Lady Gore----" and stopped. She waited a moment, then said gently, "Yes, I know. Rachel has been telling me." "She has! Oh, I am so glad," Rendel said. Then he added, finding apparently an extreme difficulty in speaking at all, "And--and--do you mind?" "That is a modest way of putting it," said Lady Gore, smiling. "No, I don't mind. I am glad." "Are you really?" said Rendel, looking as if his life depended on the answer. "Do you mean that you really think you--you--could be on my side? Then it will come all right."