But, much to his inward disappointment, he was saved from further questioning by the entrance at this juncture of the marchioness’s nephew, to whom she had sent an urgent summons before Despencer’s arrival. Captain Mauleverer came in looking very guilty and ashamed, though he made a poor bravado of ignorance. “Yes, aunt, what is it?” he inquired, scarcely troubling to acknowledge Despencer’s presence by a nod. “Sit down, please,” ordered the marchioness. “I want you to tell me exactly what passed in the picture-gallery last night before I came in.” Gerald sat down with ill-concealed reluctance. “I am afraid there is nothing I can tell you,” he stammered. “Oh, yes, there is,” his aunt retorted. “What were you and Mr. Hammond doing there?” “I am not aware that we were doing anything,” was the sullen answer. “We met there by accident, and we fell into conversation.” “What was the conversation about?” pursued the relentless examiner. “I’m afraid I can’t even tell you that.” “Do you know that Mr. Hammond is engaged to your cousin Victoria?” “I gathered something of the kind from what he said.” The marchioness pounced on the admission. “So much the better. You hear that, Mr. Despencer?” “Certainly. Most damaging evidence. He can’t possibly get out of that,” murmured the faithful one. “My dear aunt!” exclaimed the startled captain, “surely you don’t anticipate any trouble with Hammond, do you?” “Never mind. You say that he has made the engagement a subject of conversation among his friends, and that is sufficient to bind him as an honorable man.” “But, good heavens! I didn’t say that,” protested her unfortunate nephew. The marchioness turned coldly to her ally. “Mr. Despencer, you heard?” “Most distinctly,” said the witness. “Nothing could be clearer.” The captain became desperate. He tried to explain: “No--but really, it was from Victoria that I heard of it first, only she didn’t mention Hammond’s name.” The marchioness smiled cruelly. “Very good. Then I shall be able to tell him that she has also announced the engagement among _her_ friends.” She turned to Despencer. “What do you say to that?” “It is absolutely conclusive. It doesn’t leave him a single loop-hole.” The miserable captain writhed helplessly, like a victim in the hands of the Holy Office, finding every answer twisted into a fresh heresy. “Look here, do you mean to say that there is a chance of his breaking it off?” he asked the marchioness. “Not the very slightest,” was the grim response; “but he may try to.” All at once her manner became coaxing. “Now, I trust to you, Gerald, as a gentleman, not to stand in your cousin’s way. You can’t marry her yourself, as you know perfectly well, and therefore you ought not to prevent her making a good match.” “I am not likely to,” he answered, gloomily. “As long as Vick and Hammond are engaged, I am out of it altogether.” The marchioness looked extremely relieved.