iles nor any one else exactly
knew, but they had cut deep.

When, on poor Arthur's recovery of consciousness, there was an endeavour
to find Captain Alder, he had left the army; and though somewhat later
the full amount of the debt was paid, it was conveyed in a manner that
made the sender not easily traceable, and as it came just when Arthur was
again past communication, and sinking fast, no great effort was made to
seek one who was better forgotten.

It had not then been known how Bertha's life would be wrecked by that
sense of injustice and cruelty--nor what a hold the love of that man had
taken on her; but like Lady Adela, Mr. Hailes averred that she had never
been the same since that minute of stormy grief and accusation; and that
he believed that, whatever might come of it, the being able to confess
her wrongs, and to know the fate of her lover, was the only thing that
could restore the balance of her spirits or heal the sore.

From his own former employer, Mr. Burford, Frank procured that other link
which floated in his memory when Lady Adela spoke. The name had come
into Mr. Burford's office because he had been engaged on the part of one
of his clients in purchasing an estate of the Alder family, at a time
which corresponded with Arthur Morton's death, and the payment of the
debt. There was a second instalment of the price which had to be paid to
a Quebec bank.

This was all that could be learnt; but it confirmed Lord Northmoor's
impression that it would be right to see him, and as far as explanation
could go, to repair the injustice which had stung him so deeply. A
letter could not do what an interview could, and Herbert's plans were
quite sufficient cause for a journey to Winnipeg.

Of course it was a wrench to leave his wife and newly-recovered son; but
he had made up his mind that it was right, both as an act of justice to
an injured man, incumbent upon him as head of the family, and likewise as
needful in his capacity of guardian to Herbert, while the possibility of
bringing healing to Bertha also urged him.

However, Frank said little of all this, only quite simply, as if he were
going to ride to the petty sessions at Colbeam, mentioned that he thought
it right to go out to Canada to see about his nephew.

And as soon as he had brought the party home, and seen his boy once more
in his own nursery, he set forth, leaving Mary to talk and wonder with
Lady Adela over the possible consequences.