The friends walked quickly, for Lady Maud set the pace and led Van Torp toward the trees, where the stables stood, quite hidden from the house.

As soon as she reached the shade she stood still and spoke in a low voice.
'You have waited too long,' she said.

'Three men have come to arrest you, and their motor is over there in the avenue.' 'Where are they ?' inquired the American, evidently not at all disturbed.

'I'll see them at once, please.' 'And give yourself up ?' 'I don't care.' 'Here ?' 'Why not?
Do you suppose I am going to run away?
A man who gets out in a hurry doesn't usually look innocent, does he ?' Lady Maud asserted herself.
'You must think of me and of my father,' she said in a tone of authority Van Torp had never heard from her.

'I know you're as innocent as I am, but after all that has been said and written about you, and about you and me together, it's quite impossible that you should let yourself be arrested in our house, in the midst of a party that has been asked here expressly to be convinced that my father approves of you.