“‘De Chavasse,’ continued Pamela, ‘was the name of the lady who paid my aunt the small pension on which she lived. I knew her years ago, when she was on the stage, and I suddenly thought I would like to go and see her, just to have a chat over old times. Instead of going to the theatre I went and had some dinner at Slater’s, in Piccadilly, and then I thought I would take my chance, and go and see if Lady de Chavasse was at home. I got to 51, Marsden Mansions, about eight o’clock, and was fortunate enough to see Lady de Chavasse at once. She kept me talking some considerable time; so much, in fact, that I missed the 11 from St. Pancras. I only left Marsden Mansions at a quarter to eleven, and had to wait at St. Pancras until twenty minutes past midnight.’ “This was all reasonable and clear enough, and as her legal adviser had subpœnaed Lady de Chavasse as a witness, Pamela Pebmarsh seemed to have found an excellent way out of her terrible difficulties, the only question being whether Lady de Chavasse’s testimony alone would, in view of her being Pamela’s friend, be sufficient to weigh against the terrible overwhelming evidence of Miss Pebmarsh’s dying accusation. “But Lady de Chavasse settled this doubtful point in the way least expected by any one. Exquisitely dressed, golden-haired, and brilliant complexioned, she looked strangely out of place in this fusty little village court, amidst the local dames in their plain gowns and antiquated bonnets. She was, moreover, extremely self-possessed, and only cast a short, very haughty, look at the unfortunate girl whose life probably hung upon that fashionable woman’s word. “‘Yes,’ she said sweetly, in reply to the coroner, ‘she was the wife of Sir Percival de Chavasse, and resided at 51, Marsden Mansions, Belgravia.’ “‘The accused, I understand, has been known to you for some time?’ continued the coroner. “‘Pardon me,’ rejoined Lady de Chavasse, speaking in a beautiful modulated voice, ‘I did know this young—hem—person, years ago, when I was on the stage, but, of course, I had not seen her for years.’ “‘She called on you on Wednesday last at about nine o’clock?’ “‘Yes, she did, for the purpose of levying blackmail upon me.’ “There was no mistaking the look of profound aversion and contempt which the fashionable lady now threw upon the poor girl before her.