It haunted him after he had gone to rest, and for once he did not mind wakefulness.

A week passed.  On Friday, Piers said to himself that to-morrow he would go in the afternoon to Campden Hill, on the chance of finding his friends at home.  On Saturday morning the post brought him a letter which he saw to be from Mrs. Hannaford, and he opened it with pleasant anticipation; but instead of the friendly lines he expected he found a note of agitated appeal.  The writer entreated him to come and see her exactly at three o’clock; she was in very grave trouble, had the most urgent need of him.  Three o’clock; neither sooner or later; if he could possibly find time.  If he could not come, would he telegraph an appointment for her at his office?

With perfect punctuality, he arrived at the house, and in the drawing-room found Mrs. Hannaford awaiting him.  She came forward with both her hands held out; in her eyes a look almost of terror.  Her voice, at first, was in choking whispers, and the words so confusedly hurried as to be barely intelligible.

“I have sent Olga away—­I daren’t let her know—­she will be away for several hours, so we can talk—­oh, you will help me—­you will do your best——­”

Perplexed and alarmed, Piers held her hand as he tried to calm her.  She seemed incapable of telling him what had happened, but kept her eyes fixed upon him in a wild entreaty, and uttered broken phrases which conveyed nothing to him; he gathered at length that she was in fear of some person.

“Sit down and let me hear all about it,” he urged.

“Yes, yes—­but I’m so ashamed to speak to you about such things.  I don’t know whether you’ll believe me.  Oh, the shame—­the dreadful shame!  It’s only because there seems just this hope.  How shall I bring myself to tell you?”

“Dear Mrs. Hannaford, we have been friends so long.  Trust me to understand you.  Of course, of course I shall believe what you say!”

“A dreadful, a shameful thing has happened.  How shall I tell you?” Her haggard face flushed scarlet.  “My husband has given me notice that he is going to sue for a divorce.  He brings a charge against me —­a false, cruel charge!  It came yesterday.  I went to the solicitor whose name was given, and learnt all I could.  I have had to hide it from Olga, and oh! what it cost me!  At once I thought of you; then it seemed impossible to speak to you; then I felt I must, I must.  If only you can believe me!  It is—­your brother.”

Piers was overcome with amazement.  He sat looking into the eyes which stared at him with their agony of shame.

“You mean Daniel?” he faltered.

“Yes—­Daniel Otway.  It is false—­it is false!  I am not guilty of this!  It seems to me like a hateful plot—­if one could believe anyone so wicked.  I saw him last night.  Oh, I must tell you all, else you’ll never believe me—­I saw him last night.  How can anyone behave so to a helpless woman?  I never did him anything but kindness.  He has me in his power, and he is merciless.”