back the coals into the vase and filled the grate with
his manuscripts. Then, striking a match, he watched the blaze
blackening and curling up the edges of the sheets.

When eventually the table was bare, he reflected it was strange he
should now feel so little emotion. His predominating sense was one of
physical fatigue, but the figure of the scented woman was still with
him. Would it not be splendid, he asked himself, now that his past
life lay there in a charred heap, to enter with his new life into the
life of this woman--nay, to win her away from Ingram?

He took his letters. There were three of them, and they read as
follows:

"My Dear Morgan:--This is to let you know I shall be in town
to-morrow. I want you to come and meet me at Victoria at one
o'clock and we shall lunch together before I go on to my hotel.
My chief business is to see friend Medhurst about my eyes. I fear
my present reading-glasses no longer suit me. By the way, I've
some splendid ideas for you to work out. It's quite clear to me
now from whom you inherited your genius. Mind you are in time.
Your dad, Archibald D.

"P. S.--The 'Pleiad' to-day publishes that little poem of yours
about Diana. I feel very proud of being your father. Present my
regards to Mr. Ingram."

Morgan merely smiled. He had not had a poem published for many months,
and this was his first indication that the one in point had been
accepted. Curious, he reflected, it should just appear that day.

"Dear Prince Charming," ran the second. "This is to reproach you
for not coming yesterday afternoon. For two hours I waited
without giving up hope. Softest-hearted of mortals, for me alone
is your heart a stone! I had all the sensations of Mariana in
the moated grange, but whilst you are in the world, I certainly
shall not wish myself dead.

"When are you going to take me to Whitechapel? My mind wanders
longingly from this prosaic Belgrave Square to yon fantastic
region. It's quite a month since we last got lost together. I
have next Monday and Thursday free. I wonder whether it will
occur to you to connect the two last sentences. Either day--or
both--will suit me. This doesn't count as a letter. I shall write
you a real one this evening. Helen."

"Dear Morgan," read the last. "As you have probably heard, your
father is coming to town to see M