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Rh you a moment ago. I told her you were with Lord Astar. Won't you go to her?"

"No, no," she shuddered. "I can't go in there—I can't, I can't."

Her composure was deserting her. He threw a hasty glance round. Another dance had begun. To the right was a refreshment room, now empty. He took her in there and put her on a chair. By this time she was trembling violently. He went to the table and poured out a glass of champagne, all that he could find in the way of stimulant, and made her drink it. "I am sorry it is not something stronger," he said. "Elsie, tell me; are you ill ? Has anything happened?"

"Yes—yes—I am ill. Take me home, Frank; now, at once. If I stay here I shall faint, or go mad. Take me home."

"Tell me where your cloak is," he said quietly, "and if you will wait here for a few moments I will fetch it, and will send for a carriage. "

She felt in the bodice of her dress for a cardboard number. He noticed then for the first time that there was a great scratch upon the white skin, and that the diamond ornament was gone from her neck.

He asked no questions, but went silently to the cloakroom. After a few minutes he came back with her cloak, and wrapped it round her. She was cowering in a corner of the room, having moved from the chair in which he had put her, and she had her face turned from the door as if she were afraid of being seen.

"Come," he said. "I was lucky. My flyman was just outside the entrance, and I got the cab at once."

He led her out into the colonnade. She had a lace scarf over her head, and she pulled it round her face, still in the same dread of being recognized and spoken to. "Do you want me to tell your mother, or to send any message? Would you like her to go with you? If you would I will take you a little way down the drive and you will be able to wait in the cab while I bring her to you."