would
probably have learnt at once to despise that which had been obtained
so easily. As it was he was simply cross, and thought that he had
determined to withdraw the proposal. But still the other letter was
to come, and Miss Altifiorla's chance was still open to her.

The immediate consequence of these doubts in the mind of Sir Francis
was a postponement of the verdict of banishment which he had
resolved to pronounce against Dick as soon as his marriage with
Miss Altifiorla should have been settled. He did not wish to leave
himself altogether alone in the world, and if this Dick were
dismissed it would be necessary that he should provide himself with
another,--unless he were minded to provide himself with a wife
instead. He became therefore gradually more gracious after the little
speech which has been above given. Dick had understood perfectly who
the "she" had been, and what was the "it" intended. As no question
had been asked he had made no reply, but he was quite quick enough
to perceive the working of the Baronet's mind. He despised the
Baronet almost as thoroughly as did Mr. Western. But for certain
purposes,--as to which he despised himself also,--the friendship of
the Baronet suited him just at present.

One morning, for private reasons of his own, Dick went into Perth,
which was twenty miles distant from the Baronet's shooting lodge, and
returned the same day bringing the postbag with him from a point in
the road at which it was daily left by the postman. Sir Francis with
unusual haste read his letters, and among them was one from Miss
Altifiorla. But Dick had a budget of news which he was anxious to
reveal, and which he did tell before Sir Francis had said anything as
to his own letter. There was another friend, one Captain Fawkes, at
the Lodge with them, and Dick had at first been restrained by this
man's presence. As soon as he found himself alone with Sir Francis he
began. "Lady Grant has gone off to Dresden," he said.

"Where did you hear that?" asked the Baronet.

"They told me so at the club. Everybody in Perth knows that she has
gone;--and why."

"What business is it of theirs? Since you know so much about it, why
has she gone?"

"To persuade her brother to come home and take his wife once more. It
was an infernal shame that they should ever have been separated. In
fact she has gone to undo what you did. If she can only succeed in
making the man know the whole truth about it, free from all lie