"Will you try?"
He hesitated.
"No! But, Lady Caroom, you have no such debt of bitterness against him as I have. I cannot advise you—I would not dare. But if there is a spark of soul left in the man, such love as yours must fan it into warmth. If you have the courage—risk it."
Brooks left without seeing Sybil again, and turned northward. In Pall
Mall he heard his name called from the steps of one of the great clubs.
He looked up and found Lord Arranmore leisurely descending.
"A word with you, Brooks," he said, coolly, "on a matter of business.
Will you step inside?"
Brooks hesitated. It was beginning to rain, and neither of them had umbrellas.
"As you will," he answered. "I have an appointment in half-an-hour."
"I shall not detain you ten minutes," Lord Arranmore answered. "There is a comfortable strangers' room here where we can chat. Will you have anything?"
"Nothing to drink, thanks," Brooks answered. "A cigarette, if you are going to smoke."
Lord Arranmore pushed his cigarette-case across the small round table which stood between their easy-chairs. The room was empty.