your
park gates, and Tom told me of the murder. An awful calamity for the
Hares. I suppose that is the reason the young lady is Miss Hare still.
One with her good fortune and good looks ought to have changed her name
ere this."

"No, it is not the reason," returned Mr. Carlyle.

"What is the reason, then?"

A faint flush tinged the brow of Mr. Carlyle. "I know more than one who
would be glad to get Barbara, in spite of the murder. Do not depreciate
Miss Hare."

"Not I, indeed; I like the young lady too well," replied Captain Thorn.
"The girl, Afy, has never been heard of since, has she?"

"Never," said Mr. Carlyle. "Do you know her well?" he deliberately
added.

"I never knew her at all, if you mean Afy Hallijohn. Why should you
think I did? I never heard of her till Tom Herbert amused me with the
history."

Mr. Carlyle most devoutly wished he could tell whether the man before
him was speaking the truth or falsehood. He continued,--

"Afy's favors--I speak in no invidious sense--I mean her smiles and
chatter--were pretty freely dispersed, for she was heedless and vain.
Amidst others who got the credit for occasional basking in her rays, was
a gentleman of the name of Thorn. Was it not yourself?"

Captain Thorn stroked his moustache with an air that seemed to say he
_could_ boast of his share of such baskings: in short, as if he felt
half inclined to do it. "Upon my word," he simpered, "you do me too much
honor; I cannot confess to having been favored by Miss Afy."

"Then she was not the--the damsel you speak of, who drove you--if I
understand aright--from the locality?" resumed Mr. Carlyle, fixing his
eyes upon him, so as to take in every tone of the answer and shade of
countenance as he gave it.

"I should think not, indeed. It was a married lady, more's the pity;
young, pretty, vain and heedless, as you represent this Afy. Things
went smoother after a time, and she and her husband--a stupid country
yeoman--became reconciled; but I have been ashamed of it since I have
grown wiser, and I do not care ever to be recognized as the actor in it,
or to have it raked up against me."

Captain Thorn rose and took a somewhat hasty leave. Was he, or was he
not, the man? Mr. Carlyle could not solve the doubt.

Mr. Dill came in as he disappeared, closed the door, and advanced to his
master, speaking in an under tone.

"Mr. Archibald, has it struck you that the gentleman just gone out may
be the Lieutenant Thorn yo