"He has gone down into the pit, child. Let us talk no more of him. It is said that we must forgive our enemies, but it is hard for me to forgive him, even though he is dead. My beautiful Emma, she should have lived as Lady Fellenger, instead of dying through his cruelty. I hope, Anne, that your marriage will turn out happier than that of your poor sister." "Ted will be the best of husbands," said Anne, in a tone of conviction. "He loves me as dearly as I love him. I wonder when he is coming down to see me again? I have so much to tell him." "About your visit to Half-Moon Street?" "That and other things," was Anne's answer; then, after a pause, "though indeed he may not be so ignorant of that visit as you think." "Who could tell him but yourself?" "That detective, mother. He saw me when I entered the room, and he followed me also. If I had not escaped him in the manner I told you, I should have been in trouble." "You need not be anxious about that now, Anne. The detective can never find you----" "I am not so sure about that," said Anne, in parenthesis. "And as to Mr. Hersham knowing about your visit to Half-Moon Street," Mrs. Colmer continued, "I do not see how this detective you speak of can possibly tell him." "I can see, mother. Mr. Hersham knows this detective--a Mr. Fanks; and he will probably see him about the case in the interests of the 'Morning Planet.' Should they meet--as they are almost sure to do--my name will certainly be mentioned. Then the story of my visit will come out, with the result that Fanks will find me here." Mrs. Colmer turned slightly pale. "Are you afraid to meet him," she asked. Anne shrugged her shoulders. "I can't say that I am overpleased," was her reply. "He is a clever man, and I shall have considerable difficulty in keeping my own counsel." "You must tell him nothing--nothing." "You can be sure of that, mother. Should Mr. Fanks come here he will go away as wise as he came. I know when to hold my tongue as on this occasion. Matters are too serious to be spoken of openly." "Oh, dear, dear," said Mrs. Colmer in an agitated tone. "Into what difficulties have we not been led. I wish I had never let Emma go to London." "Rather wish that she had never met with Herbert Vaud, mother." "But, Anne, she loved Herbert." "I do not think so, else she would never have married Sir Gregory. But you know she always was ambitious and impulsive; look where her ambitions have led her. If she had not met with Herbert she would not have become the wife of that wicked man; if she had not been his wife she would not have been driven to her death; and if she had not died, we should not have been involved in all this trouble." "Trouble, trouble!" moaned Mrs. Colmer. "What troubles we have had, and more will come."