rence of
the countess-dowager, he had been a happier man. That lady would have
made a female Nero, enjoying herself while Rome was burning. She remained
on in her snug quarters at Hartledon, and lived in clover.

One evening, rather more than a week after the marriage, Hedges had been
on an errand to Calne, and was hastening home. In the lonely part of the
road near Hartledon, upon turning a sharp corner, he came upon Mirrable,
who was standing talking to Pike, very much to the butler's surprise.
Pike walked away at once; and the butler spoke.

"He is not an acquaintance of yours, that man, Mrs. Mirrable?"

"Indeed no," she answered, tossing her head. "It was like his impudence
to stop me. Rather flurried me too," she continued: and indeed Hedges
noticed that she seemed flurried.

"What did he stop you for? To beg?"

"Not that. I've never heard that he does beg. He accosted me with a cool
question as to when his lordship was coming back to Hartledon. I answered
that it could not be any business of his. And then you came up."

"He is uncommon curious as to my lord. I can't make it out. I've seen him
prowling about the grounds: and the night of the marriage he was mounted
up at the chapel window. Lord Hartledon saw him, too. I should like to
know what he wants."

"By a half-word he let drop, I fancy he has a crotchet in his head that
his lordship will find him some work when he comes home. But I must go on
my way," added Mirrable. "Mrs. Gum's not well, and I sent word I'd look
in for half-an-hour this evening."

Hedges had to go on his way also, for it was close upon the
countess-dowager's dinner-hour, at which ceremony he must attend. Putting
his best foot forward, he walked at more than an ordinary pace, and
overtook a gentleman almost at the very door of Hartledon. The stranger
was approaching the front entrance, Hedges was wheeling off to the back;
but the former turned and spoke. A tall, broad-shouldered, grey-haired
man, with high cheek-bones. Hedges took him for a clergyman from his
attire; black, with a white neckcloth.

"This is Hartledon House, I believe," he said, speaking with a Scotch
accent.

"Yes, sir."

"Do you belong to it?"

"I am Lord Hartledon's butler."

"Is Lord Hartledon at home?"

"No, sir. He is in France."

"I read a notice of his marriage in the public papers," continued the
stranger, whose eyes were fixed on Hedges. "It was, I suppose, a correct
one?"

"My lord was married