day or so just to keep things in order. She's entirely
trustworthy and discreet. Or perhaps, if you would prefer--'

'Mrs Gull will do nicely, Sheila. It's very good of you to have
given me so much thought.' A long and rather arduous pause
followed.

'Oh, one other thing, Arthur. You sent out to Mr Critchett--do
you remember?--the night you first came home. I think, too, after
the first awful shock, when we were sitting in our bedroom, you
actually referred to--to violent measures. You will promise me, I
may perhaps at least ask that, you will promise me on your word
of honour, for Alice's sake, if not for mine, to do nothing
rash.'

'Yes, yes,' said Lawford, sinking lower even than he had supposed
possible into the thin and lightless chill of ennui--'nothing
rash.'

Sheila rose with a sigh only in part suppressed. 'I have not seen
Mr Bethany again. I think, however, it would be better to let
Harry know; I mean, dear, of your derangement. After all, he is
one of the family--at least, of mine. He will not interfere. He
would, perhaps quite naturally, be hurt if we did not take him
into our confidence. Otherwise there is no pressing cause for
haste, at least for another week or so. After that, I suppose,
something will have to be done. Then there's Mr Wedderburn;
wouldn't it be as well to let him know that at least for the
present you are quite unable to think of returning to town? That,
too, in time will have to be arranged, I suppose, if nothing