He didn't deny it; but he said she had looked after him, and been kind to him, when nobody else was, and he should feel a beast if he pressed her too hardly." "'When nobody else was'!" repeated Lady Dunstable, scornfully, her voice trembling with bitterness.

"Really, Mrs.Meadows, it is very difficult for me to believe that my son ever used such words!" Doris hesitated, then she raised her eyes, and with the happy feeling of one applying the scourge, in the name of Justice, she said with careful mildness:-- "I hope you will forgive me for telling you--but I feel as if I oughtn't to keep back anything--Mr.Dunstable said to me: 'My mother might have prevented it--but--she was never interested in me.'" Another indignant exclamation from Lady Dunstable.

Doris hurried on.
"Only this is the important point! At last I got his promise, and I got it in writing.

I have it here." Dead silence.

Doris opened her little handbag, took out a letter, in an open envelope, and handed it to Lady Dunstable, who at first seemed as if she were going to refuse it.