CHAPTER XV.
An End and a Beginning.
When Sir Roderick Ayre returned to England, he had to undergo much questioning concerning his dealings with Stafford.

It had somehow become known throughout the little group of people interested in Stafford's abortive love-affair that he and Ayre had held conference together, and the impression was that Ayre's counsel had, to some extent at least, shaped Stafford's resolution and conduct.

Ayre did not talk freely on the matter.

He fenced with the idle inquiries of the Territon brothers; he calmed Mrs.Lane's solicitude with soothing words; he put Morewood off with a sneer at the transitoriness of love-affairs in general.

To Eugene he spoke more openly, and did not hesitate to congratulate himself on the part he had taken in reconciling Stafford to life and work.