As she finished she smiled tenderly at Venner. He had no words in reply.
Just at that moment he was filled with passionate and rebellious anger.
He dared not trust himself to speak, conscious as he was that Vera's
burden was already almost more than she could bear. She held out her hand
to him with an imploring little gesture, as if she understood exactly
what was passing in his mind.

"You will forgive me," she whispered. "I am sure you will forgive me. It
is nothing but duty which compels me to go. I would far rather stay here
and be happy."

Venner took the extended hand and pressed it tenderly. His yearning eyes
looked after the retreating figure; then, suddenly, he turned to Gurdon,
who affected to be busy over a cigar.

"I want you to do something for me," he said. "It is a strange fancy,
but I should like you to follow her. I suppose I am beginning to get
old and nervous; at any rate, I am full of silly fancies tonight. I am
possessed with the idea that my unhappy little girl is thrusting
herself into some danger. You can quite see how impossible it is for me
to dog her footsteps, but your case is different. Of course, if you
like to refuse--"

"I am not going to refuse," Gurdon said. "I can see nothing dishonorable.
I'll go at once, if you like."

Venner nodded curtly, and Gurdon rose from the table. He passed out into
the street just as the slim figure of Vera was descending the steps of
the hotel. He had no difficulty in recognising her outline, though she
was clad from head to foot now in a long, black wrap, and her fair hair