Well,” said Lady Harman in a tone that made Agatha turn eyes of surprise upon her.

“Of course,” continued Lady Harman, “I suppose—I shall join you; but as a matter of fact you see, what I’ve done to-day has been to come right away.... You see I am still in my garden tweeds.... There it was down there, a sort of stale mate....”

Agatha sat up on her heels.

“But my dear!” she said, “you don’t mean you’ve run away?”

“Yes,—I’ve run away.”

“But—run away!”

“I sold a ring and got some money and here I am!”

“But—what are you going to do?”

“I don’t know. I thought you perhaps—might advise.”

“But—a man like your husband! He’ll pursue you!”