ing her best to take his place and act for him in such
matters as required immediate attention and decision. She could not
refuse to do this, but she was anxious to be gone, to be quite to
herself, so that she might the better look life in the face and see
what could be done with the wretched remnant of her existence. She
had given up all idea of making her residence in England, and there
was no other country in which she had any deep interest, save for the
mournful interest that attached to her mother's grave.

She had asked the lawyer to say to Lord Hurdly that she would, at his
request, delay her departure for America a little while, but that she
was extremely anxious to get off as soon as it would be possible. She
also begged that he would cable when he was coming, as soon as he
could make his plans to do so.

The days were active ones for Bettina in many new and serious ways.
There were numerous business matters which she had to be consulted
about, and these gave her an insight into the affairs of the estate
which showed her far more clearly than ever what need there was for
reform, and revived in her her ardent longing to have a hand in these
reforms. But from all such thoughts as these she turned away
heart-sickened.

There were certain visits from Lord Hurdly's relations which had to
be received, an ordeal that would have tried Bettina sorely had it
not been that she made these the occasion for the investigation of
Horace Spotswood's character, nature, actions, interests, habits,
etc., which the fateful letter had recommended her to make. She had
never had one instant's doubt of the truth of every word contained in
that letter, but it was a sort of bitter pleasure to talk to these
people and draw forth the manifestations of their delight at having
Horace for the head of the family, and their confidence that this
fact would result in pleasure and benefit to them all. From their
ardent appreciation of him Bettina got at the fact of their universal
dislike for the Lord Hurdly recently laid at rest with his ancestors.

Yet it was a relief when all the guests were gone and she was left
alone to the mingled sweet and bitter feelings of her last days as
mistress of Kingdon Hall. The worldly spirit in Bettina, diminished
as it was, had not wholly disappeared, and never would as long as she
was young and healthy and so beautiful. These attributes carried with
them a certain love of display, and although it was a tria