er his dislike to face the Ashtons."

"Rubbish!" cried the wrathful dowager. "He does not tell you what the
business is, does he?" she cynically added.

"I happen to know," answered Maude. "The Ashtons are bringing an action
against him for breach of promise; and he and Mr. Carr the barrister are
trying to arrange it without its coming to a trial."

The old lady opened her eyes and her mouth.

"It is true. They lay the damages at ten thousand pounds!"

With a shriek the countess-dowager began to dance. Ten thousand pounds!
Ten thousand pounds would keep her for ever, invested at good interest.
She called the parson some unworthy names.

"I cannot give you any of the details," said Maude, in answer to the
questions pressed upon her. "Percival will never speak of it, or allow
me to do so. I learnt it--I can hardly tell you how I learnt it--by
implication, I think; for it was never expressly told me. We had a
mysterious visit one night from some old parson--parson or lawyer; and
Percival and Mr. Carr, who happened to be at our house, were closeted
with him for an hour or two. I saw they were agitated, and guessed what
it was; Dr. Ashton was bringing an action. They could not deny it."

"The vile old hypocrite!" cried the incensed dowager. "Ten thousand
pounds! Are you sure it is as much as that, Maude?"

"Quite. Mr. Carr told me the amount."

"I wonder you encourage that man to your house."

"It was one of the things I stood out against--fruitlessly," was the
quiet answer. "But I believe he means well to me; and I am sure he is
doing what he can to serve my husband. They are often together about this
business."

"_Of course_ Hartledon resists the claim?"

"I don't know. I think they are trying to compromise it, so that it shall
not come into court."

"What does Hartledon think of it?"

"It is worrying his life out. No, mamma, it is not too strong an
expression. He says nothing; but I can see that it is half killing him.
I don't believe he has slept properly since the news was brought to him."

"What a simpleton he must be! And that man will stand up in the pulpit
to-morrow and preach of charity!" continued the dowager, turning her
animadversions upon Dr. Ashton. "You are a hypocrite too, Maude, for
trying to deceive me. You and Hartledon are _not_ on good terms; don't
tell me! He would never have let you come down alone."

Lady Hartledon would not reply. She felt vexed with her mother, vexed
with her hus