I understood and appreciated his reticence, though it by no means tended--rather the other way indeed--to make an end of the idea that had suggested itself to me. "It really does seem," I reflected, as I turned my attention again to the stage, "as if the Grim House business was fated to haunt me! This very play, and the coming across Rupert again, which has recalled his story!--no! it is no use my trying to put it away for good, I wonder how that poor Mr Caryll Grey is?" for, as I said, I had heard nothing more from Isabel on the subject since I had been in London. Notwithstanding these preoccupations of mind, I thoroughly enjoyed my evening, which Rupert and his mother were pleased and gratified to hear. "Now," said Mrs Payne, as we alighted at their own door, "you must get to bed as quickly as possible, my dear! I know it is not very late, but I don't want you to go back to Lady Bretton looking any less well for your two or three days with us. In the first place, however, come into the dining-room, where we shall find sandwiches or something of the kind," and she led the way thither, I following. To my surprise, as she entered, she gave a little cry, not of alarm, but of astonishment and pleasure. "My dear boy," she exclaimed, "so you have got back to-night after all! Miss Fitzmaurice," and she turned to me, "this is my eldest son, Clarence; we did not expect him home till to-morrow." I came forward with no very great sensation of interest or curiosity, feeling, indeed, just a little bored at having to talk polite nothings to another stranger, when I was conscious of being rather sleepy and a little dazzled by the sudden light, after the pleasant darkness during the drive home. But no sooner had I caught a glimpse of the man who had risen from his seat on our entrance and was on the point of approaching me with outstretched hand in response to his mother's introduction, than all my wits and perceptions awoke to their keenest. I could scarcely repress an exclamation of amazement, for there stood before me the unknown whom Moore and I, and indeed Isabel herself, in the first place, had dubbed with so many designations--"the mysterious stranger"--"the man of the pocket-book"--"our good Samaritan," and so on! And although Clarence Payne was in some respects more at a disadvantage than I, never having seen me except with a hat on, and, as far as I remember, a veil as well, it was instantly evident that he too recognised me! "Miss--" he exclaimed, and his mother, thinking he had not caught my name, interrupted him before he had time to repeat it. "Fitzmaurice," she interpolated. "Miss Fitzmaurice," he resumed, "I am--" then stopped short.