t it is as well you did not know it, for it would give
you no satisfaction."

"Does it involve anything very frightful?"

"It might involve the--the loss of a large sum of money," he answered,
making the best reply he could.

Lady Hartledon sank her voice to a whisper. "Does it involve the possible
loss of his title?--of Hartledon?"

"No," said Mr. Carr, looking at her with surprise.

"You are sure?"

"Certain. I give you my word. What can have got into your head, Lady
Hartledon?"

She gave a sigh of relief. "I thought it just possible--but I will not
tell you why I thought it--that some claimant might be springing up to
the title and property."

Mr. Carr laughed. "That would be a calamity. Hartledon is as surely your
husband's as this watch"--taking it out to look at the time--"is mine.
When his brother died, he succeeded to him of indisputable right. And now
I must go, for my time is up; and when next I see you, young gentleman,
I shall expect a good account of your behaviour. Why, sir, the finger's
mine, not yours. Good-bye, Lady Hartledon."

She gave him her hand coolly, for she was not pleased. The baby began to
cry, and was sent away with its nurse.

And then Lady Hartledon sat on alone, feeling that if she were ever to
arrive at the solution of the mystery, it would not be by the help of Mr.
Carr. Other questions had been upon her lips--who the stranger was--what
he wanted--five hundred of them: but she saw that she might as well have
put them to the moon.

And Lord Hartledon went out with Mr. Carr in the inclement night, and saw
him off by a Great-Western train.

CHAPTER XXX.

MAUDE'S DISOBEDIENCE.

Again the months went on, it may almost be said the years, and little
took place worthy of record. Time obliterates as well as soothes; and
Lady Hartledon had almost forgotten the circumstances which had perplexed
and troubled her, for nothing more had come of them.

And Lord Hartledon? But for a certain restlessness, a hectic flush and a
worn frame, betraying that the inward fever was not quenched, a startled
movement if approached or spoken to unexpectedly, it might be thought
that he also was at rest. There were no more anxious visits to Thomas
Carr's chambers; he went about his ordinary duties, sat out his hours
in the House of Lords, and did as other men. There was nothing very
obvious to betray mental apprehension; and Maude had certainly dismissed
the past, so far, from her mind.