The journey to London was interminable. He suffered so much during the miserable hours that it seemed as if he must have the consolation of some reward at the end--must learn that OEnone hadn't died after all, or that, better still, Uncle Constantine intended in any case to give him the money which should have been his. But there was no brightening of the gloom for him. In fact, things were rather worse at the end of the journey, if possible, than he had expected. Uncle Constantine's heart was not softened by sorrow. On the contrary, he turned upon Severance in a rage and blamed him for OEnone's death. The girl had faded visibly after her cousin left England. She knew one or two people who thought it for her good to be told that Tony's "mission" was to follow Marise Sorel. OEnone had subscribed for several American papers, in order to read of Lord Severance's doings on the other side. One was a weekly gossip rag, and she had been turning over a copy when she died. In fact, the thing was found in her hand, open at a page where Severance's name was coupled in a sneering way with that of Marise Sorel. The actress was said to have jilted him for a Major Garth, V.C., of his own regiment, and the rumour was reported that out of pique Severance would now marry his rich Greek cousin in London. "It was enough to kill her--and it did!" said Ionides. "Damn you, Severance! I wish to Heaven you were dead instead of my poor girl who loved you. And I wish to hell I could upset her will in your favour. I can't do that. But not a shilling of _my_ money will you ever get." So OEnone had left him her own private fortune, as she had told him she meant to do if she died! That was something--probably the equivalent of the pledged million dollars--not allowing for the vile exchange. But of what use was _one_ million dollars to him, in his present plight? The least he could do with was double that sum. To carry out the bargain with Garth and free Marise he would have to hand over a cool million. But how was he going to pay even his most pressing debts and live--much less _marry_--if he cleaned himself out of his whole inheritance at one stroke? On the other hand, if he kept the million doubtless coming to him by OEnone's will, he would have nothing to offer Garth. The whole plan would be a colossal failure: worse than a failure--a catastrophe. Garth would stick to Marise from motives of spite, if nothing worse. The girl's life would be ruined, and she would be lost to him unless he killed Garth, or unless the man laid himself open to divorce proceedings--which was the very thing he would be careful not to do--unless well paid.