Presently he heard Miss Winwood's voice.
"Mr.Savelli, I want to introduce you to Lady Chudley." The fear gripped him harder and colder.

How could he explain that he was occupying his rightful place in that drawing-room?
But he held himself up and resolved to face the peril like a man.

Lady Chudley smiled on him graciously--how well he remembered her smile!--and made him sit by her side.

She was a dark, stately woman of forty, giving the impression that she could look confoundedly cold and majestic when she chose.

She wore diamonds in her hair and a broad diamond clasp to the black velvet round her throat.
"Miss Winwood has been telling me what an awful time you've had, Mr.
Savelli," she said pleasantly.