rom Lord Chiltern's house, where I am confined to
bed. But I think you will understand me when I say that
even in this helpless condition I feel myself constrained
to do something. Of course I ask for nothing from you on
my own behalf,--but on her behalf may I not add my prayers
to hers?

I have the honour to be,
Your Grace's very faithful Servant,

FRANCIS TREGEAR.

This coming alone would perhaps have had no effect. The Duke had
desired the young man not to address him again; and the young man had
disobeyed him. No mere courtesy would now have constrained him to
send any reply to this further letter. But coming as it did while his
heart was still throbbing with the effects of Mrs. Finn's words, it
was allowed to have a certain force. The argument used was a true
argument. His girl was devoted to the man who sought her hand. Mrs.
Finn had told him that sooner or later he must yield,--unless he was
prepared to see his child wither and fade at his side. He had once
thought that he would be prepared even for that. He had endeavoured
to strengthen his own will by arguing with himself that when he saw a
duty plainly before him, he should cleave to that let the results be
what they might. But that picture of her face withered and wan after
twenty years of sorrowing had had its effect upon his heart. He even
made excuses within his own breast in the young man's favour. He
was in Parliament now, and what may not be done for a young man in
Parliament? Altogether the young man appeared to him in a light
different from that through which he had viewed the presumptuous,
arrogant, utterly unjustifiable suitor who had come to him, now
nearly a year since, in Carlton Terrace.

He went to breakfast with Tregear's letter in his pocket, and was
then gracious to Mrs. Finn, and tender to his daughter. "When do you
go, papa?" Mary asked.

"I shall take the 11.45 train. I have ordered the carriage at a
quarter before eleven."

"May I go to the train with you, papa?"

"Certainly; I shall be delighted."

"Papa!" Mary said as soon as she found herself seated beside her
father in the carriage.

"My dear."

"Oh, papa!" and she threw herself on to his breast. He put his arm
round her and kissed her,--as he would have had so much delight in
doing, as he would have done so often before, had there not been this
ground of discord. She was very sweet to him. It had never seemed
to him that she had disgraced he