" He kissed her tenderly and put her from him. He looked
at Sylvia standing beside her and at Tremayne beyond the table.
"Comfort her," he implored them, and, turning, went out quickly.
Awaiting him in the study he found not only Lord Wellington, but
Colonel Grant, and by the cold gravity of both their faces he had
an inspiration that in some mysterious way the whole hideous truth
was already known to them.
The slight figure of his lordship in its grey frock was stiff and
erect, his booted leg firmly planted, his hands behind him clutching
his riding-crop and cocked hat. His face was set and his voice as he
greeted O'Moy sharp and staccato.
"Ah, O'Moy, there are one or two matters to be discussed before I
leave Lisbon."
"I had written to you, sir," replied O'Moy. "Perhaps you will
first read my letter." And he went to fetch it from the
writing-table, where he had left it when completed an hour earlier.
His lordship took the letter in silence, and after one piercing
glance at O'Moy broke the seal. In the background, near the window,
the tall figure of Colquhoun Grant stood stiffly erect, his hawk
face inscrutable.
"Ah! Your resignation, O'Moy. But you give no reasons." Again his
keen glance stabbed into the adjutant's face.
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