ndergrast--formed an
acquaintance with him, gave him a dinner, and succeeded in getting
him drunk; but even that was of no avail. The fellow was
communicative enough, but the trouble was he didn't know any thing
himself about this thing, and had no more knowledge of Lord
Chetwynde's business or purposes than I myself had. I have done all
or purposes than I myself had. I have done all that was possible for
a man in my situation, and grieve deeply that I have nothing more
definite to communicate."

"You have done admirably," said Hilda; "nothing more was possible. I
only wished you to watch, and you have watched to good purpose. This
much is evident, from your reports, that Lord Chetwynde has some
all-engrossing purpose. What it is can not be known now, but must be
known some day. At present I must be content with the knowledge that
his purpose exists."

"I have formed some conjectures," said Gualtier.

"On what grounds? On any other than those which you have made known
to me?"

"No. You know all."

"Never mind, then. I also have formed conjectures, and have a larger
and broader ground on which to build them. What I want is not
conjectures of any kind, but facts. If you have any more facts to
communicate, I should like very much to hear them."

"Alas, my lady, I have already communicated to you all the facts that
I know."

Hilda was silent for some time.

"You never spoke to Lord Chetwynde, I suppose?" said she at length.

"Oh no, my lady; I did not venture to come into communication with
him at all."

"Did he ever see you?"

"He certainly cast his eyes on me, once or twice, but without any
recognition in them. I really don't think that he is conscious of the
existence of a person like me."

"Don't be too sure of that. Lord Chetwynde is one who can see every
thing without appearing to see it. His eye can take in at one glance
the minutest details. He is a man who is quite capable of making the
discovery that you were the steward of Chetwynde. What measure did
you take to avoid discovery?"

Gualtier smiled.

"The measures which I took were such that it would have puzzled
Fouche himself to penetrate my disguise. I rode in the same
compartment with him, all the way to London, dressed as an elderly
widow."

"A widow?"

"Yes; with a thick black veil, and a very large umbrella. It is
simply impossible that he could penetrate my disguise, for the veil
was too thick to show my features."

"But the hotel