The unexpected appearance of Jasper Vermont startled both Lady Constance
and Adrien.

"Jasper!" exclaimed Adrien, almost sternly, drawing the silken wrap
around Lady Constance as if to shield her from all eyes but his own. "I
did not expect you here to-night."

"No," answered Jasper. "I have travelled post-haste to try and save you
from heavy trouble; the matter is so pressing that you must give me my
way and attend to it at once. I am sure Lady Constance would forgive
this intrusion, if she only knew of what serious importance it is to
you, and, indeed, to us all."

He moved forward as he spoke; and the light of the full moon falling on
his smooth, clean-shaven face, showed it so ghastly white, so moved by
strong emotion that Lady Constance started back a step, while Leroy
himself stared in surprise.

"Good Heavens!" he said, "whatever is the matter to make you drive down
in such a state? What is wrong? Is it the theatre?" A faint contemptuous
smile crossed his face as he thought of Ada.

"Pshaw!" exclaimed Vermont, scornfully. "The theatre! No, Adrien,
there's not a moment to be lost. I must speak with you at once. Don't
look at me like that. You do not grasp what imminent peril is hanging
over you."

"Peril!" gasped Lady Constance, springing forward and placing her hand
on Adrien's arm, her movement showing, perhaps unconsciously, the state
of her feelings towards him more than anything else could have done. It
was as if she wished to share with him any approaching pain.