Mrs. Purcell stared. Her face assumed an expression of horror.
"My dear," she said, aghast, "are you in your right mind?"
"Of course I am. I must and will know the truth about this man, and, what is more, I intend to hear it from his own lips."
"But--but that woman!" gasped Miss Slarge.
"If I am not married to the man, she is nothing to me. Lord Aldean, will you take me to Florence?"
"Certainly," said Jim, promptly; "and I think that you are brave and right to face your troubles so boldly."
"She is a heroine," cried Tui; then whispered softly, "and you are a dear."
"Pray consider the feelings of society," boomed Mrs. Purcell.
"I prefer to consider my own, thank you. It is no use talking, my mind is made up, and Lord Aldean has consented to take me. I must know how I stand towards this man. I must hear from himself that he is not Carson, and I must recover the money stolen from me."
"Oh dear me!" wailed Miss Slarge. "Can't you wait until Mr. Brock calls? He is in town. He writes to say that he will visit us to-morrow afternoon."
"Can't wait," struck in Aldean, judiciously; "promised Mallow to follow Semberry next train. Must be off nine sharp."
"I shall be at the station at half-past eight," cried Olive. "You get the tickets and engage a carriage, Lord Aldean."
"Oh, he will be glad I am going. Mr. Mallow is not a prude. I'll write him a note to-night. Perhaps he will be at the station in the morning."
"No need to write," said Aldean, rising; "I am going round to his rooms now. I'll tell him, if I see him, though it's just possible I may not see him. He's so mixed up with these Anarchists that he never keeps regular hours now."
"I cannot but condemn this insane determination."
"Oh, but, Mrs. Purcell, you can trust Olive with Lord Aldean," coaxed Tui. "I am sure you ought to, when I trust him with her."
"I have a great mind to undertake the journey myself," cried Mrs. Purcell, with energy, "but I fear that the excessive travelling would prove highly injurious to me."
"Two days and two nights," hinted Aldean; "it's a corker of a trail."
"You must not think of going, Mrs. Purcell," said Olive, resolutely. "I will go alone with Lord Aldean, so that is all about it. Good-night, Lord Aldean; there is none too much time. I must go and pack."