“Eustace Lovegood!” she said hoarsely. “The good God must have sent you.”

The big man started; took off his hat:

“Bless my soul, Miss Whiffels, you here! Mr. Doome has asked me to use his rooms—for a month.... But I did not know there was anyone—I mean, he—must have forgotten.”

“No,” she said—“I have no business here—none. Eustace, I am a desperate woman. I don’t know—where—to go.”

“My dear lady!”

“Why should I show a modesty that I once had—a long while ago—quite some months now——”

“My dear good——”

“Listen, Eustace. I must state the indecent thing to somebody. This man has debauched me—body and soul——”

“Good God! Bartholomew Doome?”

“No, no. This Ffolliott person——”