The girl watched the money dwindle with terrified eyes, her face growing paler and paler until it was ashy white. Westerham sought to console her. “Don't despair,” he whispered. “I think I have enough with me to see us through.” When he had at first sat down to assist her she had stared at him with considerable astonishment. Now she appeared utterly confused. “I don't understand,” she said in a low voice. “You have certainly done your best to help me, but I cannot see why you wish me to win.” Westerham turned and looked her full in the eyes. “How long will it be?” he asked in a low voice, “before you come to trust me?” He put his hand into his breast-pocket to take out the notes which he had assured himself had not been removed while he lay insensible at Mme. Estelle's. The notes were gone. It was impossible for him to help uttering an exclamation which drew Kathleen's attention to him. “I have been robbed,” he said. With a little sob Lady Kathleen rose from the table and steadied herself with her hands on the back of her chair. At the same moment the door by which Westerham had entered opened again, and there came in two gentlemen in evening-dress. A third man followed close behind them, and a rush of angry blood crept up the back of Westerham's neck as he recognised Melun. The room was quite hushed. The men about the table had been awed by the vast sum of money which the mysterious lady had staked and lost. As she moved a step forward as though to go they drew aside to give her free passage, so that now she found herself face to face with the men who had just entered. Looking over Lady Kathleen's head, Westerham saw the two men glance quickly at each other, their faces a complete study in well-bred astonishment. They bowed to Lady Kathleen, but said nothing. It was Melun who brushed by them and spoke first. “This is a most unfortunate meeting,” he said to Lady Kathleen, “and as a friend of your father I would suggest that nothing should be discussed here.” “What do you mean?” stammered Kathleen. “Nothing, nothing!” said Melun, hastily, “except that this is no fit place for you to remain in. Allow me to show you the way out at once.” Westerham thrust himself between Kathleen and the two men who had entered with Melun, and spoke to him in a low, fierce voice that could not be heard by the girl, but was perfectly audible to the others. “I agree with you, you miserable hypocrite,” he said, “she will leave this place at once.” Melun waved his hand at him blandly. “Quite so,” he said, “quite so. We will have a little talk outside, but there is no reason why we should distress these gentlemen.”