'I see,' said Caffyn; 'I suppose you've looked at the date? No? Then let me--look here, it's more than five weeks old--look at the postmark--why, it's been in England nearly a fortnight!' 'It was delayed at my people's,' said Mark, not seeing the importance of this at first, 'that's how it was.' 'But--but don't you see?' Caffyn said, excitedly for him, 'if he really has sailed by this "Coromandel," he must be very near now. He might even be in Plymouth by this time.' 'Good God!' groaned Mark, losing all control as the truth flashed upon him while the grey grass heaved under his unstable feet. Caffyn was watching him, with a certain curiosity which was not without a malicious amusement. 'You didn't expect that,' he said. 'It's capital, isn't it?' 'Capital!' murmured Mark. 'He'll be in time for your wedding,' pursued Caffyn. 'Yes,' said Mark heavily, 'he'll be in time for that now.' Yes, his doom was advancing upon him fast, and he must wait patiently for it to fall; he was tied down, without possibility of escape, unless he abandoned all hope of Mabel. Perhaps he might as well do that first as last. 'Well,' said Caffyn, 'what are you going to do about it?' 'Do?' echoed Mark. 'What can I do? I shall see him soon enough, I suppose.' 'That's a composed way of expecting a long-lost friend certainly,' said Caffyn, laughing. 'Can't you understand,' retorted Mark, 'that--that, situated as I am ... coming at such a time as this ... even a man's dearest friend might be--might be----' 'Rather in the way? Why, of course, I never thought of that--shows how dull I'm getting! He _will_ be in the way--deucedly in the way, if he comes! After all, though, he may _not_ come!' 'Let us find out,' said Mark; 'surely there's some way of finding out.' 'Oh yes,' said Caffyn. 'I dare say they can tell us at the offices. We'll have a cab and drive there now, and then we shall know what to do. Leadenhall Street, isn't it?' They walked sharply across to the Bayswater Road, where they could get a hansom; and as they drove along towards the City, Mark's hopes began to rise. Perhaps Holroyd was not on board the 'Coromandel'--and then he tried to prepare himself for the contrary. How should he receive Vincent when he came? for of course he would seek him out at once. The desperate idea of throwing himself on his friend's mercy occurred to him; if he could be the first to tell Holroyd the truth, surely he would consent to arrange the matter without any open scandal! He would not wish to ruin him so long as he received his own again. Both Caffyn and Mark were very silent during that long and wearisome drive, with its frequent blocks in the crowded City thoroughfares; and when they arrived at last at the courtyard in front of the offices, Mark said to his companion, '_You_ manage this, will you?' for he felt quite unequal to the task himself.