"I won't let him in at all!" I cried.
"What's the good? He'll know I'm here if you do that. It's best to let him in. I'm not afraid to meet him, and I'd rather—know to-night."
His knock came on the door. I went and opened it. He started at the sight of me.
"You, Mr. Austin? I was looking for Mr. Octon."
"He's not here," I answered. "He has just left for London."
He seemed to hesitate for a moment. "Then are you alone here?" he asked.
Before I had time to think of my answer, Jenny's voice came from the dining-room. "I am here. Bring Lord Fillingford into this room, Austin."
He did not start now, but he bit his lip. I stood aside to let him pass, and shut the door after him. Then I followed him into the dining-room. Jenny was standing near the fire beside Powers, who kept shifting his head about on the footstool with stiff awkward movements. Fillingford came to the middle of the room and bowed slightly to Jenny; then his eyes fell on Powers and, in sudden surprise, he pointed his finger at him.
"My servant—and your spy," she said. "He has had a narrow escape of his life."
"So it's true," he said—not in question, but to himself, in a very low voice. "True to-night—and true often before!"