dding. It is a little gem, worthy
even of a place in the _Loadstar_. Father, do you hear? Do you
understand? Look at your son's name among all those great men! Aren't
you glad? Aren't you _proud_! Aren't you going to congratulate us
_both_?"

Mr Vane growled a little, for the sake of appearances; but though his
eyebrows frowned, the corners of his lips relaxed in a manner distinctly
complacent. Even recognising as he did the herald of defeat, it was
impossible to resist a thrill of pride as his eye glanced down the
imposing list of names held open for his inspection. A great scientist;
a great statesman; a leading author; an astronomer known throughout the
world; a soldier veteran, and near the end that other name, so dearly
familiar--the name of his own son! The voice in which he spoke was
gruff with emotion. "Humph! You are in good company, at least. Let me
see the verses themselves. There must be something in them, I suppose,
but I am no judge of these things."

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.

"IN CORN."

Meantime Margot had returned to the far end of the room, and adroitly
slipped the third letter out of her pocket, feeling that it would be
selfish to delay reading the contents, as they must certainly cast some
light upon the present situation. Her heart sank a little as she
recognised that the attention was less personal than she had imagined,
but even so, it was to herself that the magazine had been directed, and
that was an evidence of the fact that in publishing the poem her
pleasure had been considered even more than Ronald's advancement.

She tore open the stiff white envelope and read as follows:--

"Dear Miss Vane,--

"I hear that you are to arrive home this afternoon, and intend to take
the liberty of calling upon you after dinner, in the hope that you may
be able to give me a few minutes of uninterrupted conversation on a
subject of great importance. If you are too much fatigued after your
journey, pray have no scruples in refusing me admission, in which case I
shall take an early opportunity of calling again; but after the strain
of the past few weeks I do not find myself able to wait longer than is
absolutely necessary for an interview.

"Yours faithfully,--

"George Elgood."

"Is that from Elgood? What does he say? What does he say? Let us see
what he says!" petitioned Ron eagerly; but Margot returned the letter to
her pocket, resolutely ignoring his outstretched hand.

"He g