Lord Grey's first thoughts flew to the man he most disliked--the one man missing from those who had been bidden to accompany His Majesty, whose absence had already formed the subject of comment.

Grey remembered this bearing before the council that same evening, and his undisguised resentment of the reproaches levelled against him.
"Where is Mr.Wilding ?" he asked suddenly, his voice dominating the din of talk that filled the room.

"Do we hold the explanation of his absence ?" Monmouth looked up quickly, his beautiful eyes ineffably sad, his weak mouth drooping at the corners.

Wade turned to confront Grey.
"Your lordship does not suggest that Mr.Wilding can have a hand in this ?" "Appearances would seem to point in that direction," answered Grey, and in his wicked heart he almost hoped it might be so.
"Then appearances speak truth for once," came a bitter, ringing voice.
They turned, and there on the threshold stood Mr.Wilding.Unheard he had come upon them.

He was bareheaded and carried his drawn sword.