u can appreciate her high-minded
and generous character, though I think she was a mere child when you saw
her first."

"Very young indeed, my Lord," said Dunn, coloring faintly.

"She is exactly, however, what she then promised to be,--an Arden, a
genuine Arden, sir; no deceit, no double; frank, outspoken; too much so,
perhaps, for our age of mock courtesy, but a noble-hearted girl, and one
fit to adorn any station."

There was an honest, earnest sincerity in the old Lord's manner that
made Dunn listen with respect to the sentiments be uttered, though
in his heart the epithet "girl," as applied to Lady Augusta, seemed
somewhat ill chosen.

"I see you take no wine, so that, if you have no objection, we'll join
the ladies."

"Your Lordship was good enough to tell me that I was to make myself
perfectly at home here; may I begin at once to avail myself of your
kindness, and say that for this evening I beg to retire early? I have a
number of letters to read, and some to answer."

"Really, Lady Augusta will feel quite offended if you slight her
tea-table."

"Nay, my Lord. It is only for this evening, and I am sure you will make
my excuses becomingly."

"It shall be as you please," said the old Lord, with a rather stiff
courtesy.

"Thank you, my Lord; thank you. I assure you it is very rarely the
sacrifice to duty costs me so keenly. Goodnight."

CHAPTER XXXVII. "A MAN IN REQUEST"

The bountifully spread breakfast-table of the following morning was not
destined to be graced by Mr. Dunn's presence. A clerk had arrived
early in the morning with a mass of correspondence from Dublin, and
a Government messenger, armed with an ominous-looking red box, came
post-haste about an hour later, while a request for a cup of tea in
his own room explained that Mr. Dunn was not to make his appearance in
public.

"This savors of downright slavery," said Lady Augusta, whose morning
toilette was admirably devised.

"To me it savors of downright humbug," said Lord Glengariff, pettishly.
"No one shall tell me that a man has not time to eat his meals like a
gentleman. A Secretary of State does n't give himself such airs. Why, I
protest, here comes another courier! what can this fellow be?"

"A messenger from the Home Office has just arrived for Mr. Dunn," said
Miss Kellett, entering the room.

"Our little cottage is become like a house in Whitehall Gardens," said
Lord Glengariff, angrily. "I have no doubt we ought to feel