CHAPTER XXIII.
The Tress of Hair.
How to extricate himself from the dilemma in which he was placed, Lord Roos scarcely knew.

But he had a good deal of self-possession, and it did not desert him on the present trying occasion.

After such consideration as circumstances permitted, he could discern only one chance of escape, and though well-nigh hopeless, he resolved to adopt it.

If consummate audacity could carry him through--and it was required in the present emergency--he had no lack of it.
Hitherto, not a word had passed between him and the intruders on his privacy.

Lady Lake seemed to enjoy his confusion too much to do anything to relieve it, and his wife was obliged to regulate her movements by those of her mother.