Sir Terence turned into his study, sank into the chair by his desk and sat there awhile staring into vacancy, a diabolical smile upon his handsome, mobile mouth.

Gradually the smile faded and horror overspread his face.
Finally he flung himself forward and buried his head in his arms.
There were steps in the hall outside, a quick mutter of voices, and then the door of his study was flung open, and Miss Armytage came sharply to rouse him.
"Terence! What has happened to Captain Tremayne ?" He sat up stiffly, as she sped across the room to him.

She was wrapped in a blue quilted bed-gown, her dark hair hung in two heavy plaits, and her bare feet had been hastily thrust into slippers.
Sir Terence looked at her with eyes that were dull and heavy and that yet seemed to search her white, startled face.
She set a hand on his shoulder, and looked down into his ravaged, haggard countenance.

He seemed suddenly to have been stricken into an old man.
"Mullins has just told me that Captain Tremayne has been ordered under arrest for--for killing Count Samoval.

Is it true?
Is it true ?" she demanded wildly.
"It is true," he answered her, and there was a heavy, sneering curl on his upper lip.
"But--" She stopped, and put a hand to her throat; she looked as if she would stifle.