"It has all gone," she answered, "and--well, things are not very flourishing with him. Our mission over here has been unsuccessful, and they have stopped sending us money from Paris. How queer that I should be telling you this!" she added, with a hard little laugh, "you, of all people in the world. Guy, take my advice. Get up and go. If he guesses who you are he will come and speak to you--and you are better apart." It was too late. With fascinated eyes I watched him leave his place and come towards us. I was absolutely powerless to move. Mrs. Smith-Lessing had left the outside chair vacant. He sank into it and leaned across the table towards me. "It is Guy," he said in a shaking voice. "I am sure that it is Guy. She has told you who I am. Eh?" "Yes," I answered. "I know who you are." He extended a shaking hand across the table. I could not take it. "Well, well," he said nervously, "perhaps you are right. But I came to England to see you. Yes, Guy, that is the truth! I have been a bad father, but I may be able to make amends. I think I know a way.-- Waiter, a glass of brandy." "I am afraid," I said, rising to my feet, "that you must excuse me.--If you have anything to say to me, sir, we can meet another time." He almost dragged me down. "Stop, stop!" he said irritably. "You do not seem to understand. I had an important matter of business to discuss with you. I may make your fortune yet, my boy! I have powerful friends abroad, very powerful." I looked at him steadily. "Well?" She laid her hand upon his arm, and whispered in his ear. He only shook his head angrily. "Nonsense, Maud!" he exclaimed. "You do not understand. This is my son Guy. Of course we must talk together. It is a wonderful meeting--yes, a wonderful meeting." "Well?" I repeated. "I am glad to hear," he continued, "that you are holding such an important position. Clerk to the Military Defence Board, eh? Quite an important position, of course; but it might be made--yes, with care, it might be made," he added, watching me with nervous alertness, "a very lucrative one." "I am quite satisfied with my salary," I remarked calmly. "Pooh! my dear boy, that is nonsense," he continued. "You do not understand me. It is an open secret. Maud, are we overheard here, do you think? Is it safe to discuss an important matter with Guy here?" I rose to my feet and took up my hat. Again she whispered in his ear, and this time he seemed to assent. "Quite right! Quite right!" he said, nodding his head. "Guy, my boy, you shall come and see us. No. 29, Bloomsbury Street--poor rooms, but our remittances have gone astray, and I have been ill. To-morrow, eh? or the next day? We shall expect you, Guy. We do not go out except in the evenings. You will not fail, Guy?" I looked down into his flushed face. His lips were shaking, and his eyes were fixed anxiously upon mine. I was miserably ashamed and unhappy.