"Then--then--will you go now, please?" She felt as though her strength were deserting her--as though she could bear no more. He paused, regarding her irresolutely. Then he turned to the door. "Very well, I'll go now. The dinghy will be waiting for you at the jetty to-morrow night at nine o'clock." The door closed behind him and, left alone, Ann sank down on to the nearest chair, utterly overwhelmed by what had befallen her. An hour ago there had been not a cloud in her sky--the whole of life seemed stretching out before her filled with the promise of love and happiness. And now, with unbelievable suddenness, black and bitter storm-clouds had arisen and covered the entire heavens, till not even a flickering ray of light was visible. She remembered her strange, unconquerable fear of the yacht ... like a sleek cat watching at a mousehole.... Well, the cat had sprung now--leaped suddenly, striking into her very heart with its pitiless claws. No tears came to her relief. She felt stunned--stunned, and remained limply in her chair, staring with dazed, unseeing eyes into space.... * * * * * She was still sitting in the same position, gazing blankly in front of her, when Maria threw open the door to admit Mrs. Hilyard. "I just looked in--" Cara, beginning to speak almost as she entered, broke off abruptly as she caught sight of Ann's stricken face. She hurried to her side. The girl's mute immobility frightened her. "Ann!" she cried quickly. "What's happened? What is the matter with you?" Slowly Ann turned her head towards her, regarding her with lack-lustre eyes. "Nothing," she said. "Or everything. I'm not quite sure which." She began to laugh a trifle hysterically, and Cara laid her hands firmly on her shoulders. "Don't do that," she said sharply, giving her a little shake. "Pull yourself together, Ann, and tell me what's gone wrong." With an effort Ann caught back the sobbing laugh that struggled in her throat for utterance. Getting up, she crossed the room to the window and stood there silently for a few moments, with her back towards Cara. When she turned round again it was obvious she had regained her self-control. "I'm all right, now," she declared, smiling more naturally. "Then tell me what's wrong, and let's put our heads together to get it right," replied Cara practically. "Oh, yes, I'll tell you. But there's nothing in the world will put things right, all the same." Very briefly she recapitulated the facts of the case, while Cara listened with an expression of increasing gravity. "You can't go," she said with decision, when Ann ceased speaking. "Whatever else you do, you mustn't spend the evening on board his yacht alone with Brett." "And if I'm to save Tony, it's the only thing to be done," replied Ann quietly. "Then you must leave Tony to get out of his difficulties by himself. Sir Philip would pay, I expect, if the matter were put up to him." Ann shook her head.