‘Possibly.’

‘I can’t believe it.  There is something unexplained.’

’Yes, there is something unexplained.—­Mrs. Damerel, I should have thought you would naturally speak first to your niece.  Why did you send for me before doing so?’

’To find out what sort of man you were, so that I should be able to form my own opinion of what Nancy chose to tell me.  Perhaps she may refuse to tell me anything at all—­we are not like ordinary relatives, I am sorry to say.  But I dare say you know better than I do how she thinks of me.’

’I have heard her speak of you only once or twice.  At all events, now that you are prepared, you will go and see her?’

‘I must.  It would be wrong to stand by and do nothing.’

‘And you will see her guardians?’

’That must depend.  I certainly shall if she seems to be suffering hardships.  I must know why she goes out to work, as if she were pinched for money.  There is her child to support, of course, but that wouldn’t make any difference to her; she is well provided for.’

‘Yes.  There’s no choice but to fall back upon the villain theory.’

He rose, and took up his hat.

‘You mustn’t go yet, Mr. Tarrant,’ said his hostess firmly.  ’I have said that I can’t believe such things of you.  If you would only explain—­’

’That’s just what I can’t do.  It’s as much a mystery to me as to you —­her wishing to earn money.’

’I was going to say—­if you would only explain your intentions as to the future—­’

’My intentions will depend entirely on what I hear from your niece.  I shall see her as soon as possible.  Perhaps you can tell me at what hour she returns from business?’

‘No, I can’t.  I wish you would talk a little longer.’

His eyes flashed angrily.

’Mrs. Damerel, I have said all that I am willing to say.  What you have heard is partly true; you probably won’t have to wait very long for the rest of the story, but I have no time and no inclination to tell it.  Go and see your niece to-morrow by all means,—­or her guardians, if it seems necessary.

‘I am very sorry we are parting in this way.’

’You must remember how difficult it is to keep one’s temper under certain kinds of accusation.’

‘I don’t accuse you.’

’Well, then, to explain calmly that one couldn’t commit this or that sordid rascality;—­it comes to the same thing.  However, I am obliged to you for opening my eyes.  I have got into a very foolish position, and I promise you I will get out of it as quickly as may be.’

Whereupon he bowed his leave-taking, and withdrew.

CHAPTER 8

It was not yet dark, but street-lamps had begun to flare and flicker in the gust of a cold, damp evening.  A thin and slippery mud smeared the pavement.  Tarrant had walked mechanically as far as to the top of Park Lane before he began to consider his immediate course.  Among the people who stood waiting for omnibuses, he meditated thus: