better
than to abstain and live. Then Tregear wrote to his friend as
follows:

MY DEAR MABEL,

I am up in town again as you will perceive, although I am
still in a helpless condition and hardly able to write
even this letter. I called to-day and was very sorry to
hear so bad an account of your father. Had I been able to
travel I should have come down to you. When I am able I
will do so if you would wish to see me. In the meantime
pray tell me how he is, and how you are.

My news is this. The Duke has accepted me. It is great
news to me, and I hope will be acceptable to you. I do
believe that if ever a friend has been anxious for a
friend's welfare you have been anxious for mine,--as I
have been and ever shall be for yours.

Of course this thing will be very much to me. I will not
speak now of my love for the girl who is to become my
wife. You might again call me Romeo. Nor do I like to say
much of what may now be pecuniary prospects. I did not ask
Mary to become my wife because I supposed she would be
rich. But I could not have married her or any one else who
had not money. What are the Duke's intentions I have not
the slightest idea, nor shall I ask him. I am to go down
to Matching at Easter, and shall endeavour to have some
time fixed. I suppose the Duke will say something about
money. If he does not, I shall not.

Pray write to me at once, and tell me when I shall see
you.

Your affectionate Cousin,

F. O. TREGEAR.

In answer to this there came a note in a very few words. She
congratulated him,--not very warmly,--but expressed a hope that she
might see him soon. But she told him not to come to Brighton. The
Earl was better but very cross, and she would be up in town before
long.

Towards the end of the month it became suddenly known in London that
Lord Grex had died at Brighton. There was a Garter to be given away,
and everybody was filled with regret that such an ornament to the
Peerage should have departed from them. The Conservative papers
remembered how excellent a politician he had been in his younger
days, and the world was informed that the family of Grex of Grex was
about the oldest in Great Britain of which authentic records were in
existence. Then there came another note from Lady Mabel to Tregear.
"I shall be in town on the 31st in the old house, with Miss
Cassewary, and will see you if you can come on