to think of me, and I shall write and tell you if I want any more.'

Lord Arthur left the house in high spirits, and with a feeling of
immense relief.

That night he had an interview with Sybil Merton. He told her how
he had been suddenly placed in a position of terrible difficulty,
from which neither honour nor duty would allow him to recede. He
told her that the marriage must be put off for the present, as until
he had got rid of his fearful entanglements, he was not a free man.
He implored her to trust him, and not to have any doubts about the
future. Everything would come right, but patience was necessary.

The scene took place in the conservatory of Mr. Merton's house, in
Park Lane, where Lord Arthur had dined as usual. Sybil had never
seemed more happy, and for a moment Lord Arthur had been tempted to
play the coward's part, to write to Lady Clementina for the pill,
and to let the marriage go on as if there was no such person as Mr.
Podgers in the world. His better nature, however, soon asserted
itself, and even when Sybil flung herself weeping into his arms, he
did not falter. The beauty that stirred his senses had touched his
conscience also. He felt that to wreck so fair a life for the sake
of a few months' pleasure would be a wrong thing to do.

He stayed with Sybil till nearly midnight, comforting her and being
comforted in turn, and early the next morning he left for Venice,
after writing a manly, firm letter to Mr. Merton about the necessary
postponement of the marriage.