trial and immediately afterwards, there was a certain amount of
sympathy for you. People felt that you must have received a good deal
of provocation, and there were several unexplained incidents which
told in your favor. Today, I should think that the feeling amongst
those who remember the affair at all is rather the other way. You
heard, I believe, that Lady Ruth married Lumley Barrington?"

"Yes."

"Barrington has been very successful at the Bar, and they say that he
is certain of a judgeship before long. His wife has backed him up
well, they have entertained lavishly, and today I should think that
she is one of the most popular hostesses in London. In her earlier
days, I used to hear that she was one of the very fast hunting
set--that was the time when you knew her. I can assure you that if
ever that was true, she is a completely altered woman today. She is
patroness of half a dozen great charitable schemes, she writes very
clever articles in the Reviews on the Betterment of the Poor Question,
and royalty itself visits at her house."

"I see," Wingrave said drily. "I was not aware of these changes."

"If ever," Mr. Rocke continued, "people were inclined to look a little
askance at her, that has all gone by. Today she is one of the last
women in the world of whom people would be likely to believe ill."

Wingrave nodded slowly.

"I am very much obliged to you," he said, "for this information. You
seem to have come here today, Mr. Rocke, with good intentions towards