CHAPTER XXV.
A DANGEROUS ALLIANCE.
In the afternoon of the day following that on which Sir Reginald paid a visit to Victor Carrington, the latter gentleman presented himself at the door of Hilton House. The frost had again set in, and this time with more than usual severity. There had been a heavy fall of snow, and the park-like grounds surrounding Madame Durski's abode had an almost fairy-like appearance, the tracery of the leafless trees defined by the snow that had lodged on every branch, the undulating lawn one bed of pure white.
He knocked at the door and waited. The woman at the lodge had told him that it was very unlikely he would be able to see Madame Durski at this hour of the day, but he had walked on to the house notwithstanding.
It was already nearly four o'clock in the afternoon; but at that hour
Paulina had rarely left her own apartments.
Victor Carrington knew this quite as well as the woman at the lodge, but he had business to do with another person as well as Paulina Durski. That other person was the widow's humble companion.
The door was opened by Carlo Toas, Paulina's confidential courier and butler. This man looked very suspiciously at the visitor.
"My mistress receives no one at this hour," he said.
"I am aware that she does not usually see visitors so early," replied Carrington; "but as I come on particular business, and as I come a long way to see her, she will perhaps make an exception in my favour."
He produced his card-case as he spoke, and handed the man a card, on which he had written the following words in pencil: