They were now in full sight of the house. The upper windows were dark; the huge windows of the studio were shuttered close, but through the chinks were visible lines and points of mellow light. Lord Watergate laid his hand on her arm. He thought: "That is just like Darrell, to have doubled back. But even then we may be too late." He said: "Miss Lorimer, if they are there, what are you going to do?" "I am going to tell my sister that she has been deceived, and to bring her home with me." Gertrude spoke very low, but without hesitation. Somewhere, in the background of her being, sorrow, and shame, and anger were lurking; at present she was keenly conscious of nothing but an irresistible impulse to action. "That she has been deceived!" Lord Watergate turned away his face. Had Phyllis, indeed, been deceived, and was it not a fool's errand on which they were bent? They mounted the steps, and he rang the bell; then, by the light of the hanging lamp, while the snow swirled round and fell upon them both, he looked into her white, tense face. "Do not hope for anything. It is most probable that they are not there." A long, breathless moment, then the door was thrown open, revealing the solemn manservant standing out against the lighted vestibule. "I wish to see Mr. Darrell," said Lord Watergate, shortly. "He's not at home, your lordship." Gertrude pressed her hand to her heart. "He is at home to me, as you perfectly well know." "He has gone abroad, your lordship." Gertrude swayed forward a little, steadying herself against the lintel, where she stood in darkness behind Lord Watergate. "There are lights in the studio, and you must let me in," said Lord Watergate, sternly. The man's face betrayed him. "I shall lose my place, my lord." "I am sorry for you, Shaw. You had better make off, and leave the responsibility with me." The man wavered, took the coin from Lord Watergate's hand, then, turning, went slowly back to his own quarters. Gertrude came forward into the light. "You must not come in, Lord Watergate." Her mind worked with curious rapidity; she saw that a meeting between the two men must be avoided. "I cannot let you go alone. You do not know----" "I am prepared for anything. Lord Watergate, spare my sister's shame." She had passed him, with set, tragic face. He saw the slim, rapid figure, in the black, snow-covered dress, make its way down the passage, then disappear behind the curtain which guarded the entrance to the studio. Gertrude had entered noiselessly, and, pausing on the threshold, hidden in shadow, remained there motionless a moment's space. Every detail of the great room, seen but once before, smote on her sense with a curious familiarity. It had been wintry daylight on the occasion of her former presence there; now a mellow radiance of shaded, artificial light was diffused throughout the apartment, a radiance concentrated to subdued brilliance in the immediate neighbourhood of the fireplace.