ng for her, he dared not even send her a
greeting, a flower, or a book, lest it should appear an intrusion; and
but for his mournful looks, his aunt would have been almost vexed at
his so often preventing her from going to make another attempt to
induce his cousin to see him.

Mary first roused herself on finding that Lord Ormersfield was taking
it for granted that she would wait to hear from her father before
sailing for Peru. The correspondence which had passed since her mother
had begun to decline, had convinced her that he expected and wished for
her without loss of time, and the vessel whose captain he chiefly
trusted was to sail at the end of May. She entreated to be allowed to
go alone, declaring that she had no fears, and would not endure that
the Earl should double Cape Horn on her account; but he stood fast--he
would not be deprived of the last service that he could render to her
mother, and he had not reliance enough on her father to let her go out
without any guardian or friend.

Recent letters from Mr. Ponsonby and from Oliver Dynevor reiterated
requests for an intelligent man conversant with mining operations, and
Oliver had indicated a person whom he remembered at Chevleigh; but, as
his mother said, he forgot that people grew old in the Eastern
hemisphere, and the application was a failure. Finding that Mary
regarded it as her charge, Fitzjocelyn volunteered to go to Illershall
to consult his friend Mr. Dobbs; and his first meeting with Mary was
spent in receiving business-like instructions as to the person for whom
he should inquire.

There were some who felt dubious when he was seen walking back from the
station with a young man who, in spite of broadcloth and growth, was
evidently Tom Madison.

'I could not help it, Mary,' said Louis, 'it was not my fault that
Dobbs would recommend him.'

Mr. Dobbs had looked this way and that, and concluded with, 'Well, Lord
Fitzjocelyn, I do not know who would answer your purpose better than
the young fellow you sent here a year ago.'

It appeared that Tom had striven assiduously both to learn his business
and to improve himself; and, having considerable abilities, already
brightened and sharpened by Louis, his progress had been surprising.
He had no low tastes, and was perfectly to be relied on for all
essential points; but Mr. Dobbs owned that he should be relieved by
parting with him, as he was not liked by his fellows, and was thought
by the foremen to