Lord Lackington hesitated.  His face took a puzzled expression.  Then he held out his hand, and she placed hers in it mechanically.

“It will be all right,” he whispered, kindly.  “Lady Henry will soon be herself again.  Shall I tell the butler to call for some one—­her maid?”

Julie shook her head, and in another moment he, too, was gone.  Dr. Meredith and General Fergus stood beside her.  The General had a keen sense of humor, and as he said good-night to this unlawful hostess, whose plight he understood no more than his own, his mouth twitched with repressed laughter.  But Dr. Meredith did not laugh.  He pressed Julie’s hand in both of his.  Looking behind him, he saw that Jacob Delafield, who had just returned from the hall, was endeavoring to appease Lady Henry.  He bent towards Julie.

“Don’t deceive yourself,” he said, quickly, in a low voice; “this is the end.  Remember my letter.  Let me hear to-morrow.”

As Dr. Meredith left the room, Julie lifted her eyes.  Only Jacob Delafield and Lady Henry were left.

Harry Warkworth, too, was gone—­without a word?  She looked round her piteously.  She could not remember that he had spoken—­that he had bade her farewell.  A strange pang convulsed her.  She scarcely heard what Lady Henry was saying to Jacob Delafield.  Yet the words were emphatic enough.

“Much obliged to you, Jacob.  But when I want your advice in my household affairs, I will ask it.  You and Evelyn Crowborough have meddled a good deal too much in them already.  Good-night.  Hutton will get you a cab.”

And with a slight but imperious gesture, Lady Henry motioned towards the door.  Jacob hesitated, then quietly took his departure.  He threw Julie a look of anxious appeal as he went out.  But she did not see it; her troubled gaze was fixed on Lady Henry.

* * * * *

That lady eyed her companion with composure, though by now even the old lips were wholly blanched.

“There is really no need for any conversation between us, Miss Le Breton,” said the familiar voice.  “But if there were, I am not to-night, as you see, in a condition to say it.  So—­when you came up to say good-night to me—­you had determined on this adventure?  You had been good enough, I see, to rearrange my room—­to give my servants your orders.”

Julie stood stonily erect.  She made her dry lips answer as best they could.

“We meant no harm,” she said, coldly.  “It all came about very simply.  A few people came in to inquire after you.  I regret they should have stayed talking so long.”

Lady Henry smiled in contempt.

“You hardly show your usual ability by these remarks.  The room you stand in”—­she glanced significantly at the lights and the chairs—­“gives you the lie.  You had planned it all with Hutton, who has become your tool, before you came to me.  Don’t contradict.  It distresses me to hear you.  Well, now we part.”