"After twenty years," she continued, "I stand face to face with the realization of my fear; the dream that has haunted me has come true; the sword has fallen; I have to answer for my girlish folly and sin—a thousand times greater than Doris'!"
Then between them for some minutes there fell perfect, unbroken silence. Again the lady broke it.
"I am in sore need," she said, "and I want a friend. I have sought you because you love Doris."
Wondering more and more, he answered that he would do anything on earth to help her.
"I feel sure you would," she said; then throwing back her veil, she asked: "Do you know me?"
He looked at her. No, he did not know her. He thought to himself that he could never have forgotten such a face if he had seen it before.
"I am Lady Estelle Hereford," she continued, "the only daughter of the Duke of Downsbury."
He was not surprised; he would not have felt surprised if she had told him she was Queen of England.
"Lady Estelle Hereford," he murmured; "but what is it possible that I can do to help you?"
"You wonder that I, the daughter of a mighty duke, should be driven to seek aid," she said. "Oh! believe me, there is no one in all England who needs it more than I do. Tell me, Earle Moray—'gentleman and poet'—I like the title—tell me, have you ever heard me discussed—spoken of?"