The next day when he was waiting outside the tea room in Piccadilly, he was in such a state of morbid excitement and harassed thought, that he wished he had asked her to put off the appointment, to give him time to find out, before seeing her again, what he wanted to know about her mysterious way of life. He had not to wait very long, for Rachel, being used to business appointments, was punctual. He soon saw Lady Jennings’ victoria driving up, and saw that Rachel herself, very quietly but well-dressed in striped black and white silk, with black hat, black gloves, and a black and white sunshade, was the sole occupant. He helped her out of the carriage and saw that she looked rather flushed, a fact which added to her beauty, and then he led her into the tea room. They were early, so they had their choice of a table, and seated themselves near enough to the little orchestra for the music to help to cover their conversation, which they knew was going to be serious. It was some time, however, before Gerard dared to broach the subject upon which Miss Davison had promised to enlighten him. He could not very well say, “And now for an explanation!” but had to wait her good pleasure. Miss Davison, however, seemed to have forgotten the reason of their meeting. She chatted gaily, ate buttered scones hungrily, saying that she had been too hard at work to have any luncheon, and enjoyed herself in looking about her, which she did with a certain keenness which was not at all like the casual glance of the ordinary girl out to tea. It was not until they had nearly finished tea, and when there was a short silence, that Gerard dared to say-- “I have been thinking all night about our meeting yesterday, and about what you said to me.” He was nervous, agitated. Miss Davison clasped her hands, and turned to him superbly-- “And what was that?” she asked. But he would not be silenced like that. Gathering all his courage, he said-- “You know you promised me an explanation of--of what I told you I saw--that night--in front of Lord Chislehurst’s--in the crowd.” “And what was that? Tell me exactly what you did see,” said she imperiously. And if she was disturbed she hid the fact very thoroughly indeed. He hesitated, and then said steadily-- “I saw you--in a poor sort of dress, with a large, flopping black hat bent out of shape and with a feather out of curl that hung over it and shaded the eyes, standing alone--or you seemed to be alone, in the crowd. Then I saw you hand something that flashed--I think,” he added, bending forward to speak low and hurriedly, “it was diamonds or a diamond--to a man, who took it from you. And then you disappeared, and so did he, so completely that I did not see a trace of either of you again.” Miss Davison listened with an unmoved face.