"What then?"
"She will tell you, Mark. It is better she should tell you herself."
"I will go to her then. I will go now."
"Wait a moment"—Catherine was very pale—"Promise me, Mark, that you won't—you won't be angry if—if mother—you will——"
She stopped. Her emotion was painful. Mark was more and more puzzled.
"Angry with your mother? At such a time!" he said.
"No—you wouldn't. I am upset. I am foolish. Let me go first to tell her you are coming. Follow me in a few minutes."
She went out leaving her husband amazed. When she arrived in Eaton Square Mr. Ardagh met her in the hall.
"She is worse," he said. "Much worse. The end cannot be far off."
"The beginning," Catherine said, looking him straight in the eyes.