So leaving the two women at the hotel, Granville had set out for the address given on Catherine’s card. He hardly hoped to find her in so obvious a retreat, yet supposed that he would at least be able to learn something about her movements there. Great was his disappointment, therefore, when he discovered that though the object of his pursuit had been there only two days before, nothing was known of her present address. The landlady, who scented a romance the moment this interesting-looking gentleman inquired for Miss West, advised him to write to the head-mistress of the High School. Granville had at once acted on this, but as this lady was abroad, and her exact address was doubtful, he was not surprised that he had not yet received an answer. Three weeks had passed away in suspense and fruitless inquiry. He had traced Catherine to Euston, where she had changed for Victoria, on her way to St. John’s, but all further effort had been useless. Even now, he thought, she might be within a few miles of him, somewhere in this vast city; for what better hiding-place than London could anyone want? His musings were interrupted by a sudden sound of wheels, and the shrill ringing of the electric bell. Presently the door opened, and a man brought in a card. “A lady to see you, sir. She asked for his lordship’s address, but when she heard you were in, she said she would like to see you.” Granville was annoyed; he did not feel in the least inclined for an interview with an unknown lady. Why should the man be so officious? Then as he looked at the card his heart gave a sudden bound. Had Catherine sought him out? But what an unlikely idea; West is not an uncommon name. Nevertheless, it was with a quickened step that he crossed the hall to the room where the visitor was waiting. His heart sank when the little old lady, almost old enough to be his grandmother, rose to meet him. “I must explain my business,” she said, looking at him with a keen scrutiny that would have confused a less self-possessed person. “I asked for Lord Mayne, but I have come on a matter connected with yourself.” “With me? I am afraid——” “Of course, you do not know me. Now will you tell me why I have had the good fortune to find you in London at this unseasonable time?” Granville felt more and more astonished, and began to think that his visitor was mad, and must be humoured. “I have come here on urgent private business,” he answered. “But you wished to see Lord Mayne; is it on any matter that I can answer?” “As I said before, you can probably satisfy me better than anyone else. But before I put any more questions, let me tell you a story.” And forthwith she poured out to him all the history of her quarrel with Catherine’s father, and of her reconciliation with his daughter, carefully avoiding the mention of the latter’s name. But Granville, listening attentively, soon solved the enigma. He could hardly wait with patience till she concluded, saying—