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THE BETRAYAL

by

E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM

1904

CONTENTS

I THE FACE AT THE WINDOW II GOOD SAMARITANS III THE CRY IN THE NIGHT IV MISS MOYAT'S PROMISE V THE GRACIOUSNESS OF THE DUKE VI LADY ANGELA GIVES ME SOME ADVICE VII COLONEL RAY'S RING VIII A WONDERFUL OFFER IX TREACHERY X AN EXPRESSION OF CONFIDENCE XI HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS XII AN ACCIDENT XIII A BRIBE XIV A RELUCTANT APOLOGY XV TWO FAIR CALLERS XVI LADY ANGELA'S ENGAGEMENT XVII MORE TREACHERY XVIII IN WHICH I SPEAK OUT XIX MRS. SMITH-LESSING XX TWO TO ONE XXI LADY ANGELA APPROVES XXII MISS MOYAT MAKES A SCENE XXIII MOSTYN RAY EXPLAINS XXIV LORD BLENAVON'S SURRENDER XXV MY SECRET XXVI "NOBLESSE OBLIGE" XXVII FRIEND OF ENEMY? XXVIII A WOMAN'S TONGUE XXIX THE LINK IN THE CHAIN XXX MOSTYN RAY'S LOVE STORY XXXI MY FATHER'S LETTER XXXII A PAINFUL ENCOUNTER XXXIII THE DUKE'S MESSAGE XXXIV MYSELF AND MY STEPMOTHER XXXV ANGELA'S CONFESSION XXXVI I LOSE MY POST XXXVII LORD CHELSFORD'S DIPLOMACY XXXVIII A TERRIBLE DISCOVERY XXXIX THE TRAITOR XL THE THEORIES OF A NOVELIST

THE BETRAYAL

CHAPTER I

THE FACE AT THE WINDOW

Like a clap of thunder, the north wind, rushing seawards, seemedsuddenly to threaten the ancient little building with destruction. Thewindow sashes rattled, the beams which supported the roof creaked andgroaned, the oil lamps by which alone the place was lit swung perilouslyin their chains. A row of maps designed for the instruction of theyoung—the place was a schoolhouse—commenced a devil's dance againstthe wall. In the street without we heard the crash of a fallenchimneypot. My audience of four rose timorously to its feet, and I,glad of the excuse, folded my notes and stepped from the slightly raisedplatform on to the floor.

"I am much obliged to you for coming," I said, "but I think that it isquite useless to continue, for I can scarcely make you hear, and I amnot at all sure that the place is safe."

I spoke hastily, my one desire being to escape from the scene of myhumiliation unaccosted. One of my little audience, however, was of adifferent mind. Rising quickly from one of the back seats, she barredthe way. Her broad comely face was full of mingled contrition andsympathy.

"I am so sorry, Mr. Ducaine," she exclaimed. "It does seem a cruelpity, doesn't it?—and such a beautiful lecture! I tried so hard topersuade dad and the others to come, but you know how they all lovehearing anything about the war, and—"

"My dear Miss Moyat," I interrupted, "I am only sorry that a mistakensense of kindness should have brought you here. With one less in theaudience I think I should have ventured to suggest that we all wentround to hear Colonel Ray. I should like to have gone myselfimmensely."

Blanche Moyat looked at me doubtfully.

"That's all very well," she declared, "but I think it's jolly mean ofthe Duke to bring him down here the very night you were giving yourlecture."

"I do not suppose he knew anything about that," I answered. "In anycase, I can give my lecture again any time, but none of us may ever haveanother opportunity of hearing Colonel Ray. Allow me—"

I opened the door, and a storm of sleet and spray stung our faces. Old
Pegg, who had been there to sell and collect tickets, shou

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