e
is rather pretty. And she might cry.'

'Will you take a glass of wine, Mr. Beresford?' said the lawyer,
effusively; for he saw that he had quite won over Mr. Tom to his side.

'No, thank you,' said the latter, rising; 'I must apologise for
interrupting your dinner. I'll look up Colonel Fitzgerald and Mason
to-morrow morning; and bring them along here most likely; that will be
the simplest way. I suppose you are likely to know sooner than any one
where these two fugitives have got to?'

'I think so. I have sent an advertisement to the morning papers. I
shall certainly counsel my son to surrender at once and throw himself
on the mercy of the Court. My dear sir, I am exceedingly obliged to
you for your kindness, your very great kindness in calling.'

'Oh, don't mention it,' said Mr. Tom, going to the door. And then he
added, ruefully, 'Now I've got to go and hunt up my friend; and tell
him that my own sister has jilted him. You've no idea what a treat
that will be!'

CHAPTER XXIII.

AT LAST.

He found Frank King in the little room in Cleveland Row, alone, sitting
before the fire, a shut book on the small table beside him.

'I've got bad news for you, King,' he said, bluntly. 'I wish it hadn't
been my sister. But you know what women are. It's better to have
nothing at all to do with them.'

'But what is it?' Frank King said, with some alarm on his face.

'Madge has bolted.'

'Madge has bolted?' the other repeated, staring at Mr. Tom in a
bewildered sort of way.

'Yes. Gone and married that fellow Hanbury. This morning. I'm very
sorry I have to come to you with a story like that about my own sister.'

Mr. Tom was very much surprised to find his friend jump up from the
chair and seize him by the arm.

'Do you know this, Beresford,' he said, in great excitement, 'you have
taken a millstone from my neck. I have been sitting wondering whether
I shouldn't cut my throat at once, or make off for Australia----'

'Oh, come, I say!' interposed Mr. Tom, with a quick flush.

'Oh, you needn't think I have anything to say against your sister,'
exclaimed his friend--on whose face there was a sudden and quite
radiant gladness. 'You don't understand it at all, Beresford. It will
take some explanation. But I assure you you could not have brought me
pleasanter news; and yet I have not a word to say against your sister.
I know that is a privilege you reserve for yourself; and quite right
too.'

I