"A very prompt, wise man," commented Lady Malmerstoke. "Now I am to be baulked of the scandal. Hey-dey!" Cleone paced to and fro. "I can't face him! I can't, I can't! What must he _think_ of me? What must he think? Aunt, you don't know all!" "Oh, yes, I do," retorted her ladyship. "No, no, you do not! Philip asked me to marry him--and--I refused! I--I--told him--I would not marry a man with a tarnished reputation! I--I said that--and worse! I accused him of trifling and--and--oh, it's too awful! That he should have been the one to see! How he must scorn me. Oh, Aunt, Aunt, can't you say something?" "Ay, one thing. That you will have to be very humble to Master Philip. At least, he was never betrothed twice in one night." Cleone collapsed on to the couch. "I'll not see him! I--oh, I must go home at once! I must, I must! Everything is all my fault! I ought never to have--sent him away! And now--and now he despises me!" "Who says so?" "I--how could he do else? Don't--don't you realise how dreadful I have been? And--and his face--when--when he--heard everything! He'll never never believe--the truth!" "What matters it?" asked my lady carelessly. "Since you do not love him--" "Oh, I do, I do, I do!" wept Cleone. * * * * * François admitted Sir Maurice. His round face was perturbed. It cleared somewhat at the sight of Sir Maurice. "_Ah, m'sieur, entrez donc!_ M'sieur Philippe he is like one mad!--He rage, he go up and down the room like a caged beast! It is a woman, without doubt it is a woman! I have known it _depuis longtemps_! Something terrible has happened! M'sieur is _hors de lui-même_!" Sir Maurice laughed. "Poor François! I go to reassure m'sieur." "Ah, if m'sieur can do that!" "I can--most effectively. Where is he?" François pointed to the library door. * * * * * Philip literally pounced on his father. "Well? You have seen her? Is she in love with Brenderby? Is she to wed him? What did she tell you?" Sir Maurice pushed him away. "You are the second distracted lover who has clutched me to-day. Have done." Philip danced with impatience. "But speak, Father! Speak!" Sir Maurice sat down leisurely and crossed his legs. "At the present moment Cleone is betrothed. Very much so," he added, chuckling. "I am about to put the whole matter into your hands." "My hands? She wants my help?" "Not at all. She is insistent that you shall not be appealed to. In fact, she was almost frantic when I suggested it." "Then does she not want to marry Brenderby?" "Certainly not. But she will do if you fail to intervene." Philip flung out his hands. "But tell me, sir! What happened last night?" "Sit down and be quiet," said Sir Maurice severely. "I am on the point of telling you." Philip obeyed meekly.