'Yes,' she insisted, out of the faith she still had in him, ready to be his surety. 'Yes, he can. He will.'
The other shook her head. 'No, he can't repay the dead. But there are the living. There are the thousands with hope still in their hearts and youth in their blood. Let him help them. Let him be a Friend to Women.'
'I understand!' Jean rose up, wide-eyed. 'Yes, that too.'
The door had opened, and Lady John was coming in with Stonor towering beside her. When he saw the girl rising from her knees, he turned to Lady John with a little gesture of, 'What did I tell you?'
The moment Jean caught sight of him, 'Thank you!' she said, while her aunt was briskly advancing, filling all the room with a pleasant silken rustling, and a something nameless, that was like clear noonday after storm-cloud or haunted twilight.
'Well,' she said in a cheerful commonplace tone to Jean; 'you rather gave us the slip! Vida, I believe Mr. Stonor wants to see you for a few minutes, but'—she glanced at her watch—'I'd like a word with you first, as I must get back. Do you think the car'—she turned to Stonor—'your man said something about recharging——'
'Oh, did he? I'll see about it.' As he went out he brushed past the butler.
'Mr. Trent has called, miss, to take the lady to the meeting,' said that functionary.
'Bring Mr. Trent into my sitting-room,' said Jean hastily, and then to Miss Levering, 'I'll tell him you can't go to-night.'
Lady John stood watching the girl with critical eyes till she had disappeared into the adjoining room and shut the door behind her. Then—