oot of the stairs, and Mr.
Carr's laundress, a queer old body with an inverted black bonnet, was
handing the cabman a parcel of books.

"A minute more and you'd have been too late," observed Mr. Carr, as Lord
Hartledon met him on the stairs, a coat on his arm.

"I thought you did not start till to-morrow."

"But I found I must go to-day. I can give you three minutes. Is it
anything particular?"

Lord Hartledon drew him into his room. "I have come to crave a favour,
Carr. It has been on my lips to ask you before, but they would not frame
the words. This child of mine: will you be its godfather with myself?"

One moment's hesitation, quite perceptible to the sensitive mind of Lord
Hartledon, and then Mr. Carr spoke out bravely and cheerily.

"Of course I will."

"I see you hesitate: but I do not like to ask any one else."

"If I hesitated, it was at the thought of the grave responsibility
attaching to the office. I believe I look upon it in a more serious light
than most people do, and have never accepted the charge yet. I will be
sponsor to this one with all my heart."

Lord Hartledon clasped his hand in reply, and they began to descend
the stairs. "Poor Maude was dreaming of making a grand thing of the
christening," he said; "she wanted to ask Lord Kirton to come to it.
It will take place in about a fortnight."

"Very well; I must run up for it, unless you let me stand by proxy.
I wish, Hartledon, you would hear me on another point," added the
barrister, halting on the stairs, and dropping his voice to a whisper.

"Well?"

"If you are to go away at all, now's the time. Can't you be seized with
an exploring fit, and sail to Africa, or some other place, where your
travels would occupy years?"

Lord Hartledon shook his head. "How can I leave Maude to battle alone
with the exposure, should it come?"

"It is a great deal less likely to come if you are a few thousand miles
away."

"I question it. Should Gorton turn up he is just the one to frighten a
defenceless woman, and purchase his own silence. No; my place is beside
Maude."

"As you please. I have spoken for the last time. By the way, any letters
bearing a certain postmark, that come addressed to me during my absence,
Taylor has orders to send to you. Fare you well, Hartledon; I wish I
could help you to peace."

Hartledon watched the cab rattle away, and then turned homewards. Peace!
There was no peace for him.

Lady Hartledon was not to be thwart