CHAPTER XXIV
"FOR THE SECOND TIME VANE HAD RISKED HIS LIFE FOR HER"
Lavinia stopped and turned, not completely round but half way. She was in a flutter, though outwardly calm. She made no attempt to recognise Vane, and indeed had Lancelot not announced himself, recognition would have been difficult, so greatly had he changed.
"You've forgotten me. You're right," he went on agitatedly. "I deserve to be forgotten, though if you knew of the dastardly plot to crush me I believe even you would forgive me."
"Even I? Am I, then, so hard-hearted?"
"No, I don't believe you are, but everything looked so black against me I could scarce hope that you would listen to what I have to say. And there's so great a difference between our fortunes. Mine's blighted. Yours—I heard you sing to-night. 'Twas ravishing. You're destined to be famous. Mr. Gay confided to me his hopes about you. Did he say how good he was to visit me in Newgate—that hell upon earth?"
"Yes, Mr. Gay is the best man living. I owe everything to him."
"I know—I know. He went over your story. You're wonderful. But I always thought that, though I knew so little about you."
He paused. His glistening eyes scanned her face eagerly. He would have given worlds to know what was in her mind and heart. But she gave him no chance. She remained impassive.
"You've been very unfortunate, Mr. Vane. I'm truly sorry for you."