I myself will drive you to Waterloo Station; there you can get a
taxi, without attracting any attention, and you will reach home before
ten. Your husband will think you stayed to dine with Lady Rose."
"But you--you!" she wailed, "Will you promise----"
"I," he said, with a laugh of scorn at her doubt of him. "This day of my
life is yours; none will ever hear from me how it was spent, and you
know it."
"You swear?"
"I give you my word," he said simply. "I can give no stronger oath than
that."
Lady Merivale sank back with a sigh of relief.
Alas! Leroy did not pause to reflect that, let happen what might, there
was one day of his life he could not account for--one whole day of which
he had sworn to keep silent.
Faster and faster went the great car, at a pace that would have shocked
chauffeur and policeman alike, but Leroy was reckless; a woman's honour
and his own were in imminent peril. Death were sweeter than his failure
to save it.
It was not much after nine when the car rolled into Waterloo Station,
and Leroy assisted his trembling companion to alight. Wrapped up in
Lucy's big coat, she stood quietly by while Leroy left his car in the
care of an outside porter, then led her apparently towards the booking
office.
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