’He do be very good-for-nothing, Netta, and have been spending money enough to buy half London.  Tak’ you care of this, and write you to me.  You was very good to me since I was come here.’

The kind word was too much for Netta, and she sat down and cried bitterly.  Mrs Griffey tried to comfort her by crying too, and so the night waned away.

The following morning the cab was sent for, according to Howel’s order, and a man-servant ordered to accompany Mrs Griffith Jenkins to the station and see her off.  Netta had never believed it possible that she could have cried at parting with her mother-in-law; but after she left the house she wrung her hands in despair, and wept as if she had lost her last earthly friend.

Still, she thought, Howel is kind, and loves me, so I will not mind what else happens.

She ordered Justine to dress Minette, whilst she hurriedly finished such preparations as she could make for her uncertain future.  She found that all Howel’s jewels were already gone, so she had only to fill her pockets and a bag with the best of her own and some plate and lock her drawers.  She took it for granted that Howel wanted the jewels for himself, and that she would be obliged, when she returned home, to secure other things.

As she took Minette by the hand, and led her along the handsome square in which they lived, she saw two men look at her very intently, and then exchange some words apparently about her.  In former days, when her bright colour and pretty face attracted the notice of passers-by, this would only have pleased her; now it frightened her.

Before they reached Hyde Park Corner Howel hailed her from a cab.

‘Netta, would you rather go into Wales to my mother or come with me?’ said Howel.

‘With you, Howel, anywhere, not into Wales for the world.’

Howel leaned back into a corner of the cab, and did not speak again.

Netta did not know where they went, but they got into four cabs in succession, driving a certain distance in one, then paying the driver, then walking into another street and hailing a fresh vehicle.

At last they reached the far east of London, and found themselves in a dirty, wretched street, amongst a squalid population.

‘Give me the bag, and take care of your pocket,’ said Howel, as they walked along the pavement.  ‘Keep close to me.’

They reached the house where Howel had taken a lodging the previous day.  He walked through the passage, and bade his wife and child follow him; ascended two pair of stairs, and entered a large and tolerably respectable room.

There was a letter on the table, which he opened at once.  It contained the following lines:—­

’The double S are comparing notes, and various rumours are in circulation amongst that set.’

He put the letter in his pocket, and, turning to Netta, told her to go into the bedroom and take off her own and Minette’s bonnet, as they must stay for a little while where they were.