rty to me had been altogether illegal and irregular, and
that in point of fact you had a right not only to the estate but to the
L20,000 for which I mortgaged it to raise the purchase money, and to the
two-years' rents.

"That is what I shall tell my wife. I think she has always had a vague
suspicion that there was something shady about the transaction, and I
shall tell her that, so far from regarding the loss of Fairclose as a
hardship, I consider you have behaved with extreme generosity and
kindness in the matter. Women do not understand business. I am sure it
won't be necessary to go into details. She, too, will be heartily glad
to leave Fairclose."

"Shall we go in and see them, Mr. Brander? You can tell them as much or
as little of the news as you think fit, and after that you can give me
some lunch. I want it badly."

"Thank you," Mr. Brander said, gratefully. "I did not like to ask you,
but it will make matters easier."

He led the way into the drawing-room. Mrs. Brander was sitting at the
window with an anxious look on her face. She knew of Cuthbert's former
visit, and that he was again closeted with her husband, and had a strong
feeling that something was wrong. The girls were sitting listlessly in
easy-chairs, not even pretending to read the books that lay in their
laps. They rose with a look of bright surprise on their faces as
Cuthbert entered with their father.

"Why, Mr. Hartington, it is ages since we saw you."

"It is indeed--it is over two years."

"I have two surprising pieces of news to give you, Eliza. In the first
place it has been discovered that there was a very serious flaw in the
title to Fairclose, and that the sale to me was altogether illegal. Mr.
Hartington has behaved most kindly and generously in the matter, but the
result is he comes back to Fairclose and we move out."

The three ladies uttered an exclamation of pleasure. Fairclose had
become hateful to them all, and at this moment it mattered little to
them how it had come about that they were going to leave it.

"You don't mean to go back to the High Street, father?" Julia, the elder
of the girls, asked anxiously.

"No, my dear; it will be a question to be settled between us where we
will go, but I have decided to leave Abchester altogether. I feel that I
require rest and quiet and shall give up business and go right out of
it."

The girls both clapped their hands.

"And now for my second piece of news which will surprise