e
suit, considering what we know, is, apart from ethics, revolting to my
instincts as a fighter. My advice, therefore, is to make every effort to
prevent matters being brought into court at all.

"I am an older man than you by thirteen years. I have a sincere regard
for you, and I wish to save you pain. In the course of our interviews I
have observed your ward very closely, and at the risk of giving you
offence, I am going to speak out my mind. Mrs. Bellew is a rather
remarkable woman. From two or three allusions that you have made in my
presence, I believe that she is altogether different from what you think.
She is, in my opinion, one of those very vital persons upon whom our
judgments, censures, even our sympathies, are wasted. A woman of this
sort, if she comes of a county family, and is thrown by circumstances
with Society people, is always bound to be conspicuous. If you would
realise something of this, it would, I believe, save you a great deal of
pain. In short, I beg of you not to take her, or her circumstances, too
seriously. There are quite a number of such men and women as her husband
and herself, and they are always certain to be more or less before the
public eye. Whoever else goes down, she will swim, simply because she
can't help it. I want you to see things as they are.

"I ask you again, my dear Vigil, to forgive me for writing thus, and to
believe that my sole desire is to try and save you unnecessary suffering.

"Come and see me as soon as you have reflected:

"I am,
"Your sincere friend,
"EDMUND PARAMOR."

Gregory made a movement like that of a blind man. Both women were on
their feet at once.

"What is it, Mr. Vigil? Can I get you anything?"

"Thanks; nothing, nothing. I've had some rather bad news. I'll go out
and get some air. I shan't be back to-day."

He found his hat and went.

He walked towards the Park, unconsciously attracted towards the biggest
space, the freshest air; his hands were folded behind him, his head
bowed. And since, of all things, Nature is ironical, it was fitting that
he should seek the Park this day when it was gayest. And far in the Park,
as near the centre as might be, he lay down on the grass. For a long
time he lay without moving, his hands over his eyes, and in spite of Mr.
Paramor's reminder that his suffering was unnecessary, he suffere