In half an hour more, Mr.Lionel Varleigh was announced as my next visitor.

I at once noticed a certain disturbance in his look and manner which was quite new in my experience of him.

I offered him a chair.

To my surprise he declined to take it.
"I must trust to your indulgence to permit me to put an embarrassing question to you," he began.

"It rests with you, Miss Laroche, to decide whether I shall remain here, or whether I shall relieve you of my presence by leaving the room." "What can you possibly mean ?" I asked.
"Is it your wish," he went on, "that I should pay you no more visits except in Captain Stanwick's company, or by Captain Stanwick's express permission ?" My astonishment deprived me for the moment of the power of answering him.