met me with reproaches that I
was forgetting the recent death of my brother. She won't have any one now
if she knows it, and I had to send for you quietly. Did you see how she
stared last night when you came in?"

Mr. Carr drew down his lips. "You might have gone away yourself, Elster."

"Of course I might," was the testy reply. "But I was a fool, and didn't.
Carr, I swear to you I fell into the trap unconsciously; I did not
foresee danger. Maude is a charming girl, there's no denying it; but
as to love, I never glanced at it."

"Was it not suspected in town last year that Lady Maude had a liking for
your brother?"

"It was suspected there and here; I thought it myself. We were mistaken.
One day lately Maude offended me, and I hinted at something of the sort:
she turned red and white with indignation, saying she wished he could
rise from his grave to refute it. I only wish he could!" added the
unhappy man.

"Have you told me all?"

"All! I wish I had. In December I was passing the Rectory, and saw it
dismantled. Hillary, whom I met, said the family had gone to Ventnor. I
went in, but could not learn any particulars, or get the address. I
chanced a letter, written I confess in anger, directing it Ventnor only,
and it found them. Anne's answer was cool: mischief-making tongues had
been talking about me and Maude; I learned so much from Hillary; and Anne
no doubt resented it. I resented that--can you follow me, Carr?--and I
said to myself I wouldn't write again for some time to come. Before that
time came the climax had occurred."

"And while you were waiting for your temper to come round in regard to
Miss Ashton, you continued to make love to the Lady Maude?" remarked Mr.
Carr. "On the face of things, I should say your love had been transferred
to her."

"Indeed it hadn't. Next to Anne, she's the most charming girl I know;
that's all. Between the two it will be awful work for me."

"So I should think," returned Mr. Carr. "The ass between two bundles of
hay was nothing to it."

"He was not an ass at all, compared with what I am," assented Val,
gloomily.

"Well, if a man behaves like an ass--"

"Don't moralize," interrupted Hartledon; "but rather advise me how to get
out of my dilemma. The morning's drawing on, and I have promised to ride
with Maude."

"You had better ride alone. All the advice I can give you is to draw back
by degrees, and so let the flirtation subside. If there is no actual
entanglement