shrunk from the burden of great responsibility, and left the
friends who had trusted him in the lurch. And then--there was the other
thing. He had paid a great price for this woman's salvation. Had he
succeeded? She had given up all her old ways. She dressed, she lived, she
carried herself through life even with a furtive, almost a pathetic,
attempt to reach his standard. Often he caught her watching him as though
fearful lest some word or action of hers had been displeasing to him.
And yet--he wondered--was this what she had hoped for? Had he given her
what she had the right to expect? Had he indeed received value for the
price he had paid? He asked Hester a sudden question:

"Hester, is your mother happy?"

Hester started a little.

"If she is not," she answered, gravely, "she must be a very ungrateful
woman."

He left it at that, and together they retraced their steps to the hotel.
Hester slipped up to her room by a side entrance, but Mannering was
obliged to pass the table where the new arrivals were lingering over
their coffee. Clara and Lord Redford both called to him.

"Come and have a smoke with us, Mannering, and tell us all about this
place," the latter said. "The Duchess and your niece are charmed with it,
and they want to stay for a few days. Are there any golf links?"

"Come and sit next me, uncle," Clara cried, "and tell me how you like
being guardian to an heiress. How I have blessed that dear departed aunt
of mine every day of my life."

Mannering accepted a cigarette, and sat down.

"The golf links are excellent," he said. "As for your aunt, Clara, she
was a very sensible woman. Her money was so well invested that I have
practically nothing to do. I expect my duties will commence when the
young men come!"

"Miss Mannering," Sir Leslie said, gravely, "is not at all attracted by
young men. She prefers something more staid. I have serious hopes that
before our little tour is over I shall have persuaded her to marry me!"

"You dear man!" Clara exclaimed. "I only wish you'd give me the chance."

"There's a brazen child to have to chaperon," the Duchess said.
"Positively asking for a proposal."

"And not in vain," Sir Leslie declared. "Walk down to the sea with me,
Miss Clara, and I'll propose to you in my most approved fashion. I think
you said that the investments were sound, Mannering?"

"The investments are all right," Mannering answered, "but I shall have
nothing to do with fortune-hunter