“Where did you see him yesterday?” asked Otway.

“At his lodgings.  I was obliged to go and see him as soon as possible.  I have never been there before.  He behaved very kindly.  He said of course he should declare my innocence——­”

“And in the same breath assured you no one would believe it?  And advised you to go off with him at once?”

“I know how bad it seems,” said Mrs. Hannaford.  “And yet, it is all my own fault—­my own long folly.  Oh, you must wonder why I have brought you here to tell you this!  It’s because there is no one else I could speak to, as a friend, and I felt I should go mad if I couldn’t ask someone’s advice.  Of course I could go to a lawyer—­ but I mean someone who would sympathise with me.  I am not very strong; you know I have been ill:  this blow seems almost more than I can bear; I thought I would ask you if you could suggest anything—­ if you would see him, and try to arrange something.”  She looked at Piers distractedly.  “Perhaps money would help.  My husband has been having money from me; perhaps if we offered him more?  Ought I to see him, myself?  But there is ill-feeling between us; and I fear he would be glad to injure me, glad!”

“I will see Daniel,” said Piers, trying to see hope where reason told him there was none.  “With him, at all events, money can do much.”

“You will?  You think you may be able to help me?  I am in such terror when I think of my brother hearing of this.  And Irene!  Think, if it becomes public—­everyone talking about the disgrace—­what will Irene do?  Just at the time of her marriage!” She held out her hands, pleadingly.  “You would be glad to save Irene from such a shame?”

Piers had not yet seen the scandal from this point of view.  It came upon him with a shock, and he stood speechless.

“My husband hates them,” pursued Mrs. Hannaford, “and you don’t know what his hatred means.  Just for that alone, he will do his worst against me—­hoping to throw disgrace on the Derwents.”

“I doubt very much,” said Piers, who had been thinking hard, “whether, in any event, this would affect the Derwents in people’s opinion.”

“You don’t think so?  But do you know Arnold Jacks?  I feel sure he is the kind of man who would resent bitterly such a thing as this.  He is very proud—­proud in just that kind of way—­do you understand?  Oh, I know it would make trouble between him and Irene.”

“In that case,” Piers began vehemently, and at once checked himself.

“What were you going to say?”

“Nothing that could help us.”

When he raised his eyes again, Mrs. Hannaford was gazing at him with pitiful entreaty.

“For her sake,” she said, in a low, shaken voice, “you will try to do something?”

“If only I can!”