d
had not accepted her offer. That would have been to spoil his dream, not
to realize it. He asked perfection or nothing, being still unhealed of
that presumptuous way of his, which bade the world go hang if it would
not give him exactly what he chose. The Tristram motto was still, "No
compromise!"

An unexpected ally came to his assistance. He received a sudden summons
from Mr Disney. He found him at work, rather weary and dishevelled. He
let Harry in at once, but kept him waiting while he transacted some
other business. Here was the place to see him, not in a drawing-room;
his brusque words and quick decisions enabled him to do two men's work.
He turned to Harry and said without preface:

"We're going to arbitrate this Barililand question, on behalf of the
Company, you know, as well as ourselves. Another instance of my
weakness! Lord Murchison's going over for us. He starts in a fortnight.
He asked me to recommend him a secretary. Will you go?"

Here was help in avoiding Cecily. But what about Blinkhampton? Harry
hesitated a moment.

"I should like it, but I've contracted certain obligations of a business
kind at home," he said.

"Well, if you're bound, keep your word and do the work. If you find
you're not, I should advise you to take this. It's a good beginning.
This is Tuesday. Tell me on Saturday. Good-by." He rang a hand-bell on
the table, and, as his secretary entered, said, "The Canadian papers,
please."

"I'm very grateful to you, anyhow."

"That's all right, Tristram. Good-by."

There was no doubt what would be the practical way of showing gratitude.
Harry went out.

He left Mr Disney's presence determined to accept the offer if Iver
could spare his services for the time. The determining cause was still
Blent, or his cousin at Blent. Blinkhampton was not far enough away; it
rather threw him with people who belonged to the old life than parted
him from them. He was weak himself too; while the people were at hand,
he would seek them, as he had sought Lady Evenswood. At the Arbitration
he would be far off, beyond the narrow seas and among folk who,
recognizing the peculiarity of his position, would make a point of not
mentioning Blent or speaking of anybody connected with it. It was from
this point of view that he was inclined toward the offer, and he did not
disguise it from himself; but for it he would rather have gone on with
Blinkhampton, perhaps because he had a free hand there, while he could