setting off without his dinner, which, as
she said, was "just done to a turn," in
expectation of his arrival, and would be "all
spiled by the time he come back." The
joint, however, had time to get cold, and to
accrue parsley unto itself before he
returned. The poor woman begged him to
remain and read to her, and he did so, until
all was over. Saddened in spirit, and weary
in body, at last he got home shortly before
eight, and broke his fast. Then he washed
and dressed himself, knowing that even in
such an emergency as the present, it
behoved him to regard appearances before
seeking an interview with Sir Andrew and
Lady Herriesson. After seeing to some
necessary matters connected with his duties
for the morrow, he started to walk up to
the great house.

Ten o'clock was striking as he reached it.

At the hall-door stood a fly, with two
reeking horses; and John was informed
that Sir Andrew was particularly engaged
with some strangers, who had just
arrived.

"Never mind," persisted John. "Let Sir
Andrew or her ladyship know that I am
here, and must see one or other of them on
most urgent business."

He was at once admitted.

In the library, with his back to the fire,
his arrogant face purple with excitement,
his short thick grey hair bristling, as it
seemed, from the same cause, over his
narrow little head, stood Sir Andrew.
Opposite him were Lowndes Cartaret and Mr.
Forbes. Lady Herriesson was in an
armchair. She was more mildly affected than
her lord by Lowndes's extraordinary statement,
but she moaned and shook her head,
and feebly echoed Sir Andrew from time
to time. The young man had told his story
as succinctly as possible; but his story was
not the whole truth. He had decided that
it was unnecessary to state in what capacity
Miss Pomeroy had been an inmate of Beckworth
House. He glided over her introduction
there, stating that "she was kind
enough to make herself of use" to his
mother in reading, and various other ways.
It was not his object to wound the
Herriesson pride, and set them in antagonism
to himself. Sir Andrew managed to
contain himself, until Lowndes reached the
climax of his narrative. Then he burst
forth:

"Damnation, sir! with the curate? The
curate of this parish? It's impossible! I
say it's impossible!"

"Quite impossible!" murmured Lady
Herriesson. "And on Thursday morning?
And this is Saturday night! . . . The man
has been away, certainly, but—oh! it's not
possible!"

"All I know, Sir Andrew, is the fact
that Miss Pomeroy left my mother's roof,
under the protection of some one whom
my mother believed to be the curate of this
place, and who came with the avowed
intention of restoring her to your care. When
I learnt from Mr. Forbes that you had
heard nothing of her, I resolved to lose no
time in placing you in possession of these
facts."

"We are very much indebted to you for
all the trouble you have taken in this painful
business, Mr. Cartaret," said Sir
Andrew, pompously.

"Impossible to say how much indebted
we are," came from the folds of Lady
Herriesson's handkerchief, which she held to
her eyes.

"I can't believe it yet," continued the
baronet."  But by Heaven, if it turns out to
be true, I'll strip his gown off his back. I'll
set the bishop on him, as sure as his name
is Miles. If her going off like this has
been a blind of his to make Lady
Herriesson and me consent to a marriage——"

"Have you any reason to suspect that
such was .... was Miss Pomeroy's wish?
that she fancied this fellow Miles at all?"
interrupted Lowndes. The question was
not lost upon Mr. Forbes, who, in the
journey down, had noted many indications
of the real nature of the young man's
interest in the case.

"No . . . well, I'm fairly puzzled ... I
don't know what to say. She was always
going to the village, pretending it was to
visit the poor. I taxed her, one day that
we had a discussion, with carrying on a
flirtation with the curate, but she denied
that she ever met him, except accidentally,
for a minute or two, and, by Jove! she
would not have denied it if it had been
true. She liked doing that sort of thing.
The rascal must have got round her in
some extraordinary way, if it is so ... I'll
send down to the village, and see if he is
returned."

His hand was on the bell, when the
groom of the chambers entered, and
announced that the Reverend Mr. Miles was
below.

"D—n it, Forbes," cried Sir Andrew,
turning to the lawyer, "this looks as if it
were true! Show him in instantly."

John had never yet felt at his ease in the
great house. Less than ever did he do so