Salisbury, where I hear she is well and
happy."

But Durborough of Durborough was too
dense to take a hint.

"I hope she will keep respectable. She
was a fine-grown young woman. I don't
mind telling you, Mr. Miles—perhaps you
may have heard it—I was very near
making her Mrs. Durborough. What an
escape!"

"Whoever is lucky enough to get Miss
Pomeroy's hand wins a great prize, sir,"
cries John, as red as a turkey-cock. After
which Mr. Durborough relapsed into silence,
and sat up stiffer than ever during the rest
of the journey. But those few words gave
John food for thought. They influenced
him, perhaps, as much as anything towards
a decision which he came to, on arriving in
town.

Mr. Forbes was alone in his office when
a card was brought him. He desired the
gentleman to be admitted.

"I am a stranger to you, Mr. Forbes,"
began John Miles, as he entered.

"Not at all: I remember you perfectly,
sir. I have often wished since for an
opportunity of expressing personally to you
my regret at having been the indirect
cause of your being so roughly used that
night by our friend Sir Andrew. Under
an entire misapprehension, you see, his
temper got the better of him: it does
sometimes. But he knows, now, what an
injustice he did you."

"I am glad of it," said John, calmly.
"It was not to speak of Sir Andrew,
however, that I came here." He paused for a
moment. "I have always heard your name
mentioned with great respect, Mr. Forbes,
as a man of the highest principle, as well
as of very clear judgment. I am going to
speak on a delicate subject, and must ask you
to let what I shall say go no further. You
know Mr. Lowndes Cartaret well? I am
told he is studying for the bar, and working
hard. This is the result of some
inquiries I have made since coming to town.
Is this true?"

"It is quite true, Mr. Miles."

"From your knowledge of his character,
have you any idea what has wrought this
change, and do you believe it will be a
permanent one?"

"I have a very distinct idea what has
wrought this change: indeed, I have a
certainty, and I believe it will be permanent."

John paused a minute, as if hesitating
how he should put his next question.

"Do he and Sir Andrew meet now?"

"Yes; Mr. Cartaret sees both him and
Lady Herriesson constantly."

"Sir Andrew then is—is—favourable to
him?"

"Entirely so."

Miles blew his nose vehemently, and
fidgeted on his chair. "Look here, Mr.
Forbes: I don't want you to commit any
breach of confidence, but tell me one thing.
If Mr. Cartaret is the man you take him to
be, why shouldn't he—what impediment is
there to—to——"

"Mr. Miles, there is no use in beating
about the bush. Let us talk plainly. What
impediment is there to his marrying Miss
Pomeroy at once? His mother——"

"Surely," replied John, with a sigh that
came from the very bottom of his heart,
"surely Mrs. Cartaret cannot persist in
misjudging a girl who is exercising such a
saving influence upon her son? It is hard
enough, I think, that the world should
continue to regard that one act of folly as
though it were a deadly crime. A fool in
the train talked to me of the escape he had
had from her—God help him! Mr. Forbes,
it is just this brings me here to-day. You
know how I love her; you heard me avow
it to Sir Andrew, and the hopes I then had.
Well, they are at an end. I have no more
hope now, for I know that her heart is
another's; but I love her still, Mr. Forbes,
and if I can do anything towards making
her really happy, I will do it, cost me what
it may."

The lawyer shook his visitor's hand, in
silence, and John continued: "I own I
feared that Mr. Cartaret could never be
worthy of her. But if it is true that he is
reformed, then," he said, with an effort,
"the sooner this marriage can be, the better.
Longer delay is only injurious to her good
name. My aunt is nearly well; in a few
weeks I know that Miss Pomeroy will leave
her, and seek a living elsewhere. For her
sake, for every one's sake, this
must take place as soon as possible."

"It is very easy to say that, my dear sir,
and I cannot sufficiently admire your
conduct, which, as far as I know, is quite
unprecedented, under the circumstances. But
how about the old lady?"

John meditated for some minutes. At
last he said, very slowly, and Mr. Forbes
saw how much it cost him:

"Would it be any use my going down to
speak to her?"

"I hardly think so. She refuses to listen
to her own son, I believe; but you can
try."