"Elsie is likely to wait," she said. "You are too scrupulous, Herr Paul.
I have shown you how to make a great deal of money."
"The money with which I marry Elsie," I answered, "shall not be blood money."
She let me go then, and I went away well pleased. I fancied that I was holding my own with Madame. And I had left the way clear for my next visit, which was no small thing.
At half-past three the restaurant was almost empty. Very soon after four I rang the bell of Lady Dennisford's town house in Park Lane. The man who opened it stared at my request to see her Ladyship. Eventually, however, I persuaded him to take in a message. I wrote a single word upon a plain card, and in five minutes I was shown into a small boudoir.
Lady Dennisford entered the room almost at the same instant from an opposite door. She was dressed in deep mourning; but it seemed to me that something of the old weariness was gone from her face. She looked at me searchingly, but obviously without recognition.
"I am Lady Dennisford," she said. "What is your business with me?"
I kept my eyes fixed upon her steadily.
"You do not recognize me, Lady Dennisford?" I asked.
She frowned slightly.
"Your voice is familiar," she answered, "and—why, you have a look of
Hardross Courage! Who are you?"