ghing with the baby, said something about its soft face,
was altogether easy and careless in his manner, and then answered in
half-jesting tones:

"Which one, Lady Hartledon?"

"Which one! Have you more than one?" she continued, taking the words
literally.

"We might count up half-a-dozen, I daresay. I cannot tell you how many
things I have not confided to him. We are quite--"

"I mean the secret that affects _him_" she interrupted, in aggrieved
tones, feeling that Mr. Carr was playing with her.

"There is some dread upon him that's wearing him to a shadow, poisoning
his happiness, making his days and nights one long restlessness. Do you
think it right to keep it from me, Mr. Carr? Is it what you and he are
both doing--and are in league with each other to do?"

"_I_ am not keeping any secret from you, Lady Hartledon."

"You know you are. Nonsense! Do you think I have forgotten that evening
that was the beginning of it, when a tall strange man dressed as a
clergyman, came here, and you both were shut up with him for I can't tell
how long, and Lord Hartledon came out from it looking like a ghost? You
and he both misled me, causing me to believe that the Ashtons were
entering an action against him for breach of promise; laying the damages
at ten thousand pounds. I mean _that_ secret, Mr. Carr," she added with
emphasis. "The same man was here on Friday night again; and when you came
to the house afterwards, you and Lord Hartledon sat up until nearly
daylight."

Mr. Carr, who had his eyes on the exacting baby, shook his head, and
intimated that he was really unable to understand her.

"When you are in town he is always at your chambers; when you are away he
receives long letters from you that I may not read."

"Yes, we have been on terms of close friendship for years. And Lord
Hartledon is an idle man, you know, and looks me up."

"He said you were arranging some business for him last autumn."

"Last autumn? Let me see. Yes, I think I was."

"Mr. Carr, is it of any use playing with me? Do you think it right or
kind to do so?"

His manner changed at once; he turned to her with eyes as earnest as her
own.

"Lady Hartledon, I would tell you anything that I could and ought to tell
you. That your husband has been engaged in some complicated business,
which I have been--which I have taken upon myself to arrange for him, is
very true. I know that he does not wish it mentioned, and therefore my
lips are sealed: bu