I know your ladyship's own footman, James, should go with your ladyship, but if it is something serious, as an old servant, and, if I may say so, a humble and devoted friend of his lordship's, I would beg to accompany your ladyship instead." "Yes, yes, Michelham," said Zara, and hurried from the room.
She sent a telegram when at last she reached the station--to the St.
James's Street rooms.
"What you thought was not true.

Do not leave until I come and explain.

I am your own Zara." Then the journey began--three hours of agony, with the constant stoppages, and the one thought going over and over in her brain.

He believed she had a lover and a child, and yet he loved her! Oh, God! That was love, indeed!--and she might not be in time.
But at last they arrived--Michelham and she--and drove to Tristram's rooms.
Yes, his lordship had been expected at five, but had not arrived yet; he was late.

And Michelham explained that Lady Tancred had come, and would wait, while he himself went round to Park Lane to see if Lord Tancred had been there.
He made up a splendid fire in the sitting-room, and, telling Higgins not to go in and disturb her even with tea, the kind old man started on his quest--much anxiety in his mind.
Ten minutes passed, and Zara felt she could hardly bear the suspense.
The mad excitement had kept her up until now.