The flash of hope died away. How could she tell what Marius would see as his duty? He was inflamed against the Earl, rejected by herself, bitter against his world. In a manner the Countess had always been on his conscience. She had no guarantee that he would not respond to my lady's madness, and her mind rushed forward to that piteous terrible picture of flight, pursuit, and an unworthy death for one of them by fratricide. In her bitterness she turned on Honoria. "Why have you come to me? You--you who have ministered to all this creature's vilest qualities, you who were at the back of this in the paper, you who have ever dragged her down--why have you come here smugly to tell me of this last shame?" Honoria Pryse rose. "I came to ask you if you cared to help me prevent it," she said, in no way stirred. "It is not to my interest that my mistress should hurl herself into the gutter. What do I become but a target for the vengeance of my lord? I thought that you would not care to see your house disgraced. I believed that you would give a great deal to save the Earl of Lyndwood's name from infamy." She paused, and Susannah, very pale, lifted her eyes. "What makes you so sure of that?" she asked The glance of the two women met. "Is it not true?" demanded Honoria. Miss Chressham drew a painful breath. "Yes, it is true," she said quietly. "Then our interests meet, madam. My lady would not listen to me; she--or Mr. Marius--might listen to you." "You suggest I should pursue?" cried Susannah, her whole being shrinking from the thought. "Yes," answered Honoria. "I ask you, madam, to come with me, at once, to Captain Lyndwood's lodgings to bring my lady home before my lord discovers." Susannah put her hand to her brow. On what distasteful adventure, with what distasteful ally, was she invited to embark? But it did not occur to her either to mistrust or question, or to hesitate as to what she must do. "Very well," she said quietly. "I will accompany you at once, and I must thank you for coming." Honoria gave her a look, curious, of admiration. "I knew you would take it in this fashion," she said. "Many ladies would not have believed me--most, I think." She laughed. "I think we all know the truth when we hear it," answered Susannah. "Nor can we choose our allies, or our instruments. I may not now question your motives in speaking to me. Again, I am glad of your assistance." "If I have been of any use," said Honoria, "it is very well. Are you ready now, madam, to accompany me?" Miss Chressham glanced at the timepiece. It was nine of the clock. The Countess Agatha would not return until perhaps two or three. "It will be best," said Susannah, "if we avoid all observation. Will you walk to the end of the street and wait there for me? I can, I think, make some excuse to my maid." "Very well, madam." Honoria Pryse turned quietly to the door. "Shall I call a hackney?"