the bulk of your communication, I am at a loss to understand
the vehemence of your remarks on the subject of my Mile End property.
My agent informed me shortly after my return home that you had been
concerning yourself greatly, and, as he conceived, unnecessarily, about
the matter. Allow me to assure you that I have full confidence in Mr.
Henslowe, who has been in the district for as many years as you have
spent months in it, and whose authority on points connected with the
business management of my estate naturally carries more weight with me,
if you will permit me to say so, than your own.

"I am, sir, your obedient servant,

"ROGER WENDOVER"

Catherine returned the letter to her husband with a look of dismay. He
was standing with his back to the chimney-piece, his hands thrust far
into his pockets, his upper lip quivering. In his happy, expansive life
this was the sharpest personal rebuff that had ever happened to him. He
could not but smart under it.

'Not a word,' he said, tossing his hair bank impetuously, as Catherine
stood opposite watching him--'not one single word about the miserable
people themselves! What kind of stuff can the man be made of?'

'Does he believe you?' asked Catherine, bewildered.

'If not, one must try and make him,' he said energetically, after a
moments pause. 'To-morrow, Catherine, I go down to the Hall and see
him.'

She quietly acquiesced, and the following afternoon, first thing after
luncheon, she watched him go, her tender inspiring look dwelling with
him as he crossed the park, which was lying delicately wrapped in one of
the whitest of autumnal mists, the sun just playing through it with pale
invading shafts.

The butler looked at him with some doubtfulness. It was never safe to
admit visitors for the Squire without orders. But he and Robert had
special relations. As the possessor of a bass voice worthy of his girth,
Vincent, under Robert's rule, had become the pillar of the choir, and it
was not easy for him to refuse the Rector.

So Robert was led in, through the hall, and down the long passage to the
curtained door, which he knew so well.

'Mr. Elsmere, Sir!'

There was a sudden, hasty movement. Robert passed a magnificent
lacquered screen newly placed round the door, and found himself in the
Squire's presence.

The Squire had half risen from his seat in a capacious chair, with a
litter of books r