Again Pateley felt an unreasoning fury rising in his mind that people who were so easily satisfied should not be allowed to have their heart's desire. Perhaps after all, it was not true about the "Equator"; perhaps things might be better than they seemed. At any rate, he would not say anything to his sisters until he had seen Gore. And with some hurried explanation of the number of engagements that obliged him to leave them, he strode out. CHAPTER XII In the meantime Lord Stamfordham, watching the situation, felt there was not a single instant to lose. There is one moment in the life of a conflagration when it can be stamped out: that moment passed, no power can stop it. Stamfordham, his head clear, his determination strong and ready, resolved to act without hesitating on his own responsibility. He sent a letter round to Prince Bergowitz, the German Ambassador, begging him to come and see him. Prince Bergowitz was laid up with an attack of gout which unfortunately prevented his coming, but he would be glad to receive Lord Stamfordham if he would come to see him. It was a little later in the same day that Rendel, alone in his study, was standing, newspaper in hand, in front of the map of Africa looking to see the exact localities where the events were happening which might have such dire consequences. At that moment Wentworth, passing through Cosmo Place, looked through the window and saw him thus engaged. He knocked at the hall door, and, after being admitted, walked into the study without waiting to be announced. "Looking at the map of Africa, and I don't wonder," he said. "Isn't it awful?" "It's terrible," said Rendel, "about as bad as it can be." "Look here, why aren't you over there to help to settle it?" said Wentworth. "Well, I should not have been there, in any case," said Rendel. "That is where I should have been--look," with something like a sigh. "You would have been nearer than you are now," said Wentworth. "Upon my word, I haven't patience with you. The idea of throwing up such a chance as you have had!" "How do you know about it?" Rendel said. "How do I know?" said Wentworth. "Everybody knows that you were offered it and refused." "After all," said Rendel, "there are some things one leaves undone in this world. It does not follow that because people are offered a thing they must necessarily accept it." "I don't say I am not in favour of leaving things undone," Wentworth said, "on occasion." "So I have observed," said Rendel. "But really, you know," Wentworth went on, "this is too much. What do you intend to do?" "What do I intend to do?" Rendel said, with a half smile, then unconsciously imparting a greater steadfastness into his expression, "broadly speaking, I intend to do--everything." "Oh! well, there's hope for you still," Wentworth said, "if that is your intention. It's rather a large order, though."