ng something in his mind. Then
rousing up he said he must leave them, as he was due at a party at the
West End, and it was time he was making his toilet. "I shall be very
glad to see you at Trevellian Castle," he said to Grey, "and if you will
come I will treat Mistress Bessie to the biggest fox-hunt she ever saw.
I have no end of hounds and horses, and Flossie is an admirable
horsewoman. Why, she can take the highest fence and clear the widest
ditch in the county. Come and see her do it. Good-by."

The next day Bessie wrote to Flossie, urging her to go with her to her
new home, and saying that she knew she would like America, and be very
happy there.

A week later and Neil started for India. He said good-by, at the hotel,
to his father, who had come from Wales to see him; but Grey and Bessie
went with him to Southampton, where he was to embark. It was hard for
Neil to seem cheerful and natural, but he succeeded very well until the
last, when he said good-by to Bessie. Then he broke down entirely, and,
taking her in his arms, cried over her as a mother cries over the child
she is losing.

"You have always been my good angel, Bessie," he said, "and if I ever
make anything of myself, it will all be owing to you. Good-by, and may
God bless you and make you the happiest woman in the world, as you
deserve to be. I may never see you again, and I may. If I succeed, and
really think I am a man, and not a sneak as you have always known me, I
shall come to you sometime, and show you that there was something in
Neil McPherson besides selfishness and conceit. Good-by."

Releasing her, he turned to Grey, who, during this little scene, had
considerately turned his back upon them, and stood looking from the
window as unconcernedly as if no tall, handsome cousin were kissing his
wife and crying over her. He had perfect faith in Bessie, and he pitied
Neil, and when the latter offered him his hand he took it, and pressing
it warmly, said:

"Good by, and God bless you. As long as I live you will have a friend in
me. I think you will succeed in India, but if you fail, try America. You
are sure to succeed there, if you only have the will, and I can help you
some, perhaps. Good-by."

Neil made no answer, except to wring Grey's hand, and then he passed out
from the old life to the new, with a pretty equal chance for failure or
success.

This was in April, and the latter part of May the Jerrolds sailed for
America, but before they did