"
"Yes, and one until lately I had will nigh forgotten, for in spite of
Dame Rumour's falseness I have not been the principal actor in it. For
to-night only does she triumph, ere, to-morrow's sun has set I hope to
be at or very near Haughton Hall with those who will lift the veil
from the past, and put in Dame Rumour's hands another version of the
scandal."
"We shall have a long evening together, Lionel; you can stay with us,
I suppose."
"Only until I see you comfortably settled, dear Lady Esmondet, in
still untangling the web of 'difficulty,'" and Vaura's hand is
pressed. "I have a twelve-mile drive in a suburban train to the
monastery of St. Sebastian."
"Nuns and monks, the _denouement_ will be interesting," said Vaura.
"Will they win, that's the question; the other hand is full of knaves
and tricks," said Lady Esmondet.
"They shall," answered Lionel, earnestly, and holding Vaura's hand, "I
hold a hand that gives me strength to win."
Park Lane is now reached, the servants are in the hall to welcome
their mistress, when the house-keeper says:
"If it will suit your ladyship, dinner will be served in twenty
minutes or half an hour.
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