Hamar, infuriated that his efforts, so far, had proved fruitless, resolved, since time was pressing, to play his trump card and either win, or lose all. He rang up Gladys on the telephone. "My patience is exhausted," he said. "I'll give you one more chance, and one--only. Agree to be engaged to me at once--or I'll smite your father with the most virulent form of cancer, and leave him to die." There was no question now in Gladys's mind as to what she should do. Of all things in the world, she dreaded cancer most, and after the many evidences Hamar had given her of his skill in Black Magic, she did not doubt for one instant that he could, immediately he chose, carry out his threat. "I have decided," she said faintly, "to--to--give in." "You accept me, then?" Hamar said. "Y-yes!" "When may I see you?" "When you like." "Then I'll come at once," Hamar replied. "_Au revoir._" But Hamar, when he arrived at the Cottage, did not realize any of the gleeful anticipations he had indulged in _en route_. Gladys was ill--so Miss Templeton informed him--at the same time begging him, if he really had any regard for Miss Martin, not to ask to see her for the next few days; and to this request Hamar, seeing no alternative, was obliged to assent. Shortly after he had gone, Shiel Davenport called, and found Gladys alone in the garden. "I've been told that your father is ill," he said, "and should like to hear better news of him. How is he?" "I think he's all right now," Gladys replied, "but he has suffered frightfully. Indeed, we've all had a terrible time," And she told him what had happened. "Then you've not been acting at the Imperial lately?" Shiel asked. "Not for the past week," Gladys replied. "I couldn't leave father." "How has Mr. Bromley Burnham got on without you?" Shiel asked bitterly. "I don't understand you," Gladys said quietly. "I have an understudy, and from what I am told she has given every satisfaction. I have some news which I fear won't be altogether welcome to you." Shiel turned a shade paler. "What is it?" he faltered. "I'm engaged to be married." For a few moments there was silence, and then Shiel exclaimed mechanically "Engaged to be married! To whom?" "To Leon Hamar! I couldn't help it." And she explained the position. "But he'll never keep you to it," Shiel said. "He couldn't be such a brute." "I'm afraid he will," Gladys replied. "He's shown pretty clearly that he's capable of anything. I've given him my promise--I must keep it." "Then it's good-bye to all interest in life--for me," Shiel said, with a gulp. "I've thought of no one but you since we first met. For you--in the hope of someday winning you, I've struggled on; I've reconciled myself to a bare existence. Now I've lost you, I've lost everything. I hate life. I shall--"