the second state call of the
year.

Molly received the visitor alone. Her mother was upstairs with a
bronchial attack.

Lady Caryl, handsome, elderly, and aristocratic, entered the shabby
drawing-room with her most gracious air. She sat and talked for a while
upon various casual subjects. Molly poured out the tea and responded with
her usual cheery directness. Lady Caryl did not awe her. Her father was
wont to remark that Molly was impudent as a robin and brave as a lion.

After a slight pause in the conversation Lady Caryl turned from parish
affairs with an abruptness somewhat characteristic of her, but by no
means impetuous.

"Did you ever chance to meet Earl Wyverton, my dear Mary?" she inquired.
"He spent a few days here in the summer."

"Yes," said Molly. "He came to see us several times."

The beautiful colour rose slightly as she replied, but she looked
straight at her questioner with a directness almost boyish.

"Ah!" said Lady Caryl. "I was away from the Manor at the time, or I
should have asked him to stay there. I have always liked him."

"We like him too," said Molly, simply.

"He is a gentleman," rejoined Lady Caryl, with emphasis. "And that makes
his misfortune the more regrettable."

"Misfortune!" echoed Molly.

She started a little as she uttered the word--so little that none but a
very keen observer would have noticed it.

"Ah!" said Lady Caryl. "You have not heard, I see. I suppose you would
not hear. But it has been the talk of the town. They say he has lost
practically every penny he possessed over some gigantic American
speculation, and that to keep his head above water he will have to sell
or let every inch of land he owns. It is particularly to be regretted, as
he has always taken his responsibilities seriously. Indeed, there are
many who regard his principles as eccentrically fastidious. I am not of
the number, my dear Mary. Like you, I have a high esteem for him, and he
has my most heartfelt sympathy."

She ceased to speak, and there was a little pause.

"How dreadful!" Molly said then. "It must be far worse to lose a lot of
money than to be poor from the beginning."

The flush had quite passed from her face. She even looked slightly pale.

Lady Caryl laid down her cup and rose. "That would be so, no doubt," she
said. "I think I shall try to persuade him to come to us at the end of
the year. And your sister is to be married in January? It will be quite
an event for you all.