TEL.

"DEAR MR. BROOKS,

"The news which I believe Lady Caroom is sending you to-day may perhaps
convince you of the folly of this masquerading. I make you, therefore,
the following offer. I will leave England for at least five years on
condition that you henceforth take up your proper position in society,
and consent to such arrangements as Mr. Ascough and I may make. In any
case I was proposing to myself a somewhat extensive scheme of travel,
and the opportunity seems to me a good one for you to dispense with an
incognito which may lead you some day into even worse complications. I
trust that for the sake of other people with whom you may be brought
into contact you will accept the arrangement which I propose.

"I remain,

"Yours faithfully,

"ARRANMORE."

The other letter was from Lady Caroom.

"RITTER'S HOTEL.

"MY DEAR 'MR. BROOKS,'

"I want to be the first to tell you of Sybil's engagement to the Duke of
Atherstone, which took place this afternoon. He has been a very
persistent suitor, and he is a great favourite, I think, deservedly,
with every one. He will, I am sure, make her very happy.

"I understand that you are still in London. You must find this weather
very oppressive. Take my advice and don't overwork yourself. No cause
in the world, however good, is worth the sacrifice of one's health.

"I hope that my news will not distress you. You realized, of course,
that your decision to remain known, or rather unknown, as Kingston
Brooks, made it at some time or other inevitable, and I hope to see a
good deal of you when we return to town, and that you will always
believe that I am your most sincere friend,

"CATHERINE CAROOM."

Brooks laid the two letters down with a curious mixture of sensations.
He knew that a very short time ago he might have considered himself
brokenhearted, and he knew that as a matter of fact he was nothing of
the sort. He answered Lady Caroom's letter first.

"27, JERMYN STREET, W.

"DEAR LADY CAROOM,

"It was very kind of you to write to me, and to send me the news of
Sybil's engagement so promptly. I wish her most heartily every
happiness. After all, it is the most suitable thing which could have
happened.

"You are right in your surmise. After our conversation I realized quite
plainly that under my present identity I could not possibly think of
Lady Sybil except as a very charming and a very valued friend. I was,
therefore, quite prepared for the news which you h