She did not go to her room at all, but ran up-stairs to the drawing-room quickly, feeling still more anxious. It was just possible that somebody was ill, and Ralph Gowan had come to break the news to her because no one else had been at liberty. With this idea uppermost, she opened the door and advanced toward him, looking pale and troubled. He met her half-way, and took her outstretched hand, looking troubled himself. “You are not very well,” he said at once. “I am sorry to see that.” And his voice told her immediately that he had not come with good news. She smiled faintly, but when she sat down she put her hand to her forehead. “Am I pale, then?” she answered. “I suppose I must be. It is nothing but a trifle of headache, and,” with a hesitant laugh, “that I half fancied you had come to tell me something unpleasant.” He was silent for a moment,--so silent that she looked up at him with a startled face. “It _is_ something unpleasant!” she exclaimed. “You have come with ill news, and you are afraid to begin.” “Not so bad as that,--not afraid, but rather reluctant,” he answered. “It is _not_ pleasant news; and but that I felt it would be wisest to warn you at once, I would rather any one else had brought it. I have stumbled upon a disagreeable report.” “Report!” Dolly echoed, and her thoughts flew to Mollie again. “Don't be alarmed,” he said. “It is only a disagreeable one because the subject of it has managed to connect himself with some one whose happiness we value.” Dolly rose from her chair and stood up, turning even paler than before. “This some one whose happiness we value is Mollie,” she said. “And the report you have heard is about Mr. Gerald Chandos. Am I not right?” “Yes,” he returned, “you are right. The hero of the report is Gerald Chandos.” “What has he been doing?” she asked, sharply. “Don't hesitate, please. I want to know.” He was evidently both distressed and perplexed. He took two or three hurried steps across the room, as if to give himself a little extra time to settle his words into the best form. But Dolly could not wait. “Mr. Gowan,” she said, “what has that man been doing?” He turned round and answered her. “He has been passing himself off to your brother as an unmarried man,” he said. She slipped back into her chair again, and wrung her hands passionately. “And he is married?” she demanded. “Oh! how was it you did not know this?” “Not one in ten of Mr. Gerald Chandos's friends know it,” he returned. “And I am only a chance acquaintance. It is not an agreeable story to tell, if what report says is true. Remember, it is only report as yet, and I will not vouch for it. It is said that the marriage was the end of a boyish folly, and that the happy couple separated by mutual consent six months after its consummation. The woman went to California, and Chandos has not seen her since, though he hears of her whereabouts occasionally.” “And you are not quite sure yet that the report is true?” said Dolly.