"Yes. I said that one vice was considered more venial than another vice nowadays; and I say so still. I had sooner that you had died of delirium tremens in a ditch than done this."
"So had not I, Lord Saltire. When I became involved with Adelaide, I thought Ellen was provided for; I, even then, had not heard this esclandre about Charles. She refused a splendid offer of marriage before she left me."
"We thought she was dead. Where is she gone?"
"I have no idea. She refused everything. She stayed on as Adelaide's maid, and left us suddenly. We have lost all trace of her."
"What a miserable, dreadful business!" said Lord Saltire.
"Very so," said Lord Welter. "Hadn't we better change the subject, my lord?" he added, drily. "I am not at all sure that I shall submit to much more cross-questioning. You must not push me too far, or I shall get savage."
"I won't," said Lord Saltire. "But, Welter, for God's sake, answer me two more questions. Not offensive ones, on my honour."
"Fifty, if you will; only consider my rascally temper."
"Yes, yes! When Ellen was with you, did she ever hint that she was in possession of any information about the Ravenshoes?"
"Yes; or rather, when she went, she left a letter, and in it she said that she had something to tell Charles."