it is true there is villainy in it," cried Tom, with wild eyes,
"the blackest villainy that ever was done upon earth. I'll go--I'll see
him to-night. By heavens, I shall know the truth!" He rushed furiously
downstairs and through the bar. There was a cab near the door.
"Drive into London!" he cried; "69, Eccleston Square. I am on fire to
be there!" The cabman sprang on the box, and they rattled away as fast
as the horse would go.

This sudden exit caused, as may be imagined, considerable surprise in
the parlour of the _Cock and Cowslip_.

"He's a vera tumultuous young man," the mate remarked. "He was off like
a clipper in a hurricane."

"I perceive," said Von Baumser, "dat he has left his hat behind him.
I do now remember dat I have heard his name spoken with dat of dis very
young lady by my good vriend, the major."

"Then he's jealous belike," said Hamilton Miggs, with a knowing shake of
the head. "I've felt that way myself before now. I rounded on Billy
Barlow, o' the _Flying Scud_, over that very thing, twelve months ago
come Christmas. But I don't think it was the thing for this young chap
to cut away and never say 'With your leave,' or 'By your leave,' or as
much as 'Good night, gentlemen all.' It ain't what you call straight up
an' down."

"It's transcendental," said the mate severely; "that is what I call it."

"Ah, my vriends," the German put in, "when a man is in love you must
make excuses for him. I am very sure dat he did mean no offence."

In spite of this assurance Captain Hamilton Miggs continued to be very
sore upon the point. It was only by dint of many replenishings of his
glass and many arguments that his companions could restore him to his
pristine good humour. Meanwhile, the truant was speeding through the
night with a fixed determination in his heart that he should have before
morning such an understanding, one way or the other, as would never
again leave room for a doubt.

CHAPTER XXXI.

A CRISIS AT ECCLESTON SQUARE.

His father's encouraging words had given Ezra Girdlestone fresh heart,
and he had renewed his importunities with greater energy than ever.
Never surely did any man devote every moment of his time more completely
to the winning of a woman's heart. From morning until night the one
idea was ever before his mind and every little want of Kate's was
forestalled with a care and foresight which astonished her. The richest
fruit and flowers found their way unex