“Consideration is wasted upon a girl so self-willed. I don’t mean to say anything against her. No doubt if she were not headstrong she would never have done anything for herself or her people. But I confess she has tried my patience lately.” “Why doesn’t she go down to her mother for a little while?” “She was talking of going away with her and with Lilian,” said the old lady; “but I don’t know whether she has decided upon anything. She seems now not to know her own mind for two minutes together.” Gerard felt afraid that it was because she was under the control of a mind other than her own, and was silent. Lady Jennings sighed. “However,” she said, “we must hope it is as you say, and that a holiday of some sort will work wonders in her. I wish you, who appear to have some influence with her--” “Oh, no, no; I wish I had!” interpolated Gerard. “I wish you would talk to her, and try to persuade her to be more reasonable. You might show her that she is doing herself--and consequently Lilian--a great deal of harm by her vagaries. People won’t take the younger sister up, as Rachel wants them to do, if they find the elder is too much of a handful.” Gerard was dismayed by what he heard. He felt that if Lady Jennings were to throw Rachel over, the girl would be left entirely to the influence of those false friends who must, he felt sure, be already poisoning her happiness and spoiling her life. Ineffectual as Lady Jennings’ friendship and protection appeared to be in restraining her in her reckless course of conduct, Gerard clung to the hope that a short period of rest might bring reflection, and that, as long as her best friends stood by her, she might at least be saved from giving herself up wholly to the bad influences which were at work upon her, and that he himself might, by probing the mystery surrounding her to the very bottom, be able to save her from her dangerous acquaintances, by threatening to put the police on the track of the gang. “I will talk to her,” said he, in a low voice; “though I’m afraid it won’t have much effect.” “She likes you very much, I know. She uses you as an example of what a man should be,” said Lady Jennings. Gerard’s face brightened in spite of himself. “Does she really?” “Only this morning she did, in speaking to her sister. Will you, Mr. Buckland, dine with us to-morrow night, and see what you can do with her?” “I’m afraid I’m engaged to-morrow night.” “What night can you come?” “I’ve got to go down to some friends on the river for the week-end. That will take me up to Monday.” “And this is Thursday. Let me see. How will Wednesday next suit you?” “I should be delighted to come.” Gerard was on his feet, most anxious to get away, for he had heard the door shut after Rachel, and he was determined to follow her and to witness, if possible, her meeting with the man of the white mustache. He shook hands with his hostess, and went away with the proper air of leisured reluctance.