He avoided Gilda, whose eyes, however, were following him watchfully, and made his way to where Mabel was sitting looking on at the dancing; for she had declined to take a more active part, and was intending to make her escape as soon as Mark should come to rescue her. 'I'll try one more chance,' he thought, 'and if that fails----' Vincent had satisfied himself as he passed through the room after Caffyn had left him that Mark was not there. He went through a network of rooms, and out on the staircase, looking for him. Mark had had much to endure in the way of enthusiastic comments on his own work, and the delight he was supposed to feel at his wife's rendering of his heroine, while Mrs. Featherstone had driven him almost frantic by her persistent appeals, confidences, and suggestions with regard to the performance. He had chosen a moment when her attention was distracted to slip out unobserved. He knew he must return soon, but his nerves would bear no more just then, and, wandering aimlessly from room to room, he came to one in which some light refreshments had been placed for those engaged in the rehearsal, and he filled a small tumbler of champagne from a half-empty bottle he found there, and drank it, hoping it would give him courage to go back and play his part to the end. As he put down the glass Vincent came in. 'I was looking for you,' the latter began hurriedly, when he had satisfied himself that they were not likely to be overheard. 'I have seen Caffyn!' 'Well?' said Mark, listlessly. 'It is worse than I thought,' was the answer; 'he has got hold of some papers--Heaven knows how, but he can prove his case. He half threatened to destroy them, but if I know him he won't; he will use them to keep his hold over you--we must get the start of him!' 'Yes,' agreed Mark, 'I can disappoint him there, at all events. I'll go to Fladgate to-morrow, and tell him everything--it's all I can do now, and the sooner it is over the better!' 'You must do nothing without me!' said Vincent. Despair made Mark obstinate. 'I wish to God I had spoken out last Easter! You stopped me then--you shall not stop me this time! I'll keep that book no longer, whatever the consequences may be.' 'Listen to me,' said Vincent. 'I will take back the book--I see no other course now; but I claim the right to tell the story myself, and in my own way. You will not be madman enough to contradict me?' Mark laughed bitterly. 'If you can tell that story so as to make it look any better, or any worse, than it is, _I_ won't contradict you,' he said: 'that is a safe promise!' 'Remember it, then,' said Vincent. 'I will tell you more when I have thought things out a little. In the meantime, the less we see of that scoundrel the better. Can't you take Mabel home now?' 'Yes,' said Mark, 'we will go home, and--and you will come to-morrow?' 'To-morrow,' said Vincent. 'Tell her nothing till you have seen me!' They were returning to the music-room when Mrs. Featherstone passed.