"To what do I owe this visit?" asked Madame Durski.
"She is desperately angry," thought the baronet. "My dear Paulina," he said, aloud, "can you imagine that your letters were indifferent to me? I have been busy, and, as you know, I have been away from London."
"Yes," she said; "you spent your Christmas very agreeably, I believe."
"Not at all, I assure you. A bachelors' party in a country parsonage is one of the dullest things possible, to say nothing of the tragical event which ended my visit," added Reginald, his cheek paling as he spoke.
"A bachelors' party!" repeated Paulina; "there were no ladies, then, at your cousin's house?"
"None."
"Indeed!"
Paulina Durski's lip curled contemptuously, but she did not openly convict Sir Reginald of the deliberate falsehood he had uttered.
"I am very glad you have come to me," she said, presently, "because I have urgent need of your help."
"My dear Paulina, believe me—" began the baronet