'Well, I will explain. I had a long talk to-day with Alice and with George, one at a time, and from both I was grieved, more grieved than I can tell you, to learn that since George allowed himself to be misled by science he has never come back again to his right mind.' 'But, Mrs Osborne, I can hardly have been mistaken--' 'My child, you were. When I spoke to George about the matter he reflected a long time, and he said he could in no way account for the conclusion you had come to except you formed it in the train as you came from London to this.' 'That was the time. And is it not true?' 'Ah no, my dear. I am sorry to say not.' Marie's face darkened. This statement of Mrs Osborne's explained George's conduct in the conservatory last night. It explained his flight. But it left much in doubt. What should she do? What should she say to George's mother under the circumstances? For a long time neither woman spoke. At last Marie said,-- 'This is dreadful. I thought he was all right again. I am sure I do not know what to do, Mrs Osborne.' 'You can do nothing, and nothing is the best thing for you to do. He will come to his senses soon. He will come to his senses when he finds you are firm in keeping your word. He has gone away. You will stay with us. You will stay with us until he is cured of this wicked folly; then he will come home; then he will come back to you and us.' 'But,' thought the girl, 'how long am I to be from him? How long is he to be from me?' she said aloud. 'But, Mrs Osborne, shall I not be in your way?' 'In our way, child! not at all. We shall be delighted to have you. You will be a companion to Alice. Indeed, I do not know what Alice would do only for the hope of having you.' 'And who will keep me company when my George is away--when my George is away?' thought Marie. CHAPTER XVII. THE END. In the afternoon of the day after Osborne left Stratford, Marie got the following letter from him:-- 'My Own Darling Marie,--Here I am once more in London, but not in the old place. When you answer this, you are to address your letter to Kaiser's Hotel, E.C. 'I have thought over the whole thing most carefully. I have tried, with how much success I do not know, to look at the matter dispassionately, and I have come to a final conclusion. My mind is now made up to insist upon your marrying me within a month. I have not waited for a personal interview with you, for two reasons: I did not care, after my mother's positive refusal to release you from your promise, to use the house, or your visit to the house, as a means of urging my right; and I did not think that in an interview I could say in as forcible and simple a way as I could on paper.