CHAPTER XIX.
THE CUP OF BITTERNESS It was growing late on that same evening that Scott came through the hotel vestibule after a rehearsal of the concert which was to take place that evening and at which he had undertaken to play the accompaniments.
He glanced about him as he came as though in search of someone, and finally passed on to the smoking-room.

His eye were heavy and his face worn, but there was an air of resolution about him that gave purpose to his movements.
In the smoking-room several men were congregated, and in a corner of it sat Sir Eustace, writing a letter.

Scott came straight to him, and bent over him a hand on the back of his chair.
"Can I have a word with you ?" he asked in a low voice.
Sir Eustace did not look round or cease to write.

"Presently," he said.
Scott drew back and sat down near him.

He did not smoke or take up a paper.