n the midst of his vague meditations, the
following note was brought to him; it had been delivered by hand:

"MY DEAR MR. MOORE,--I do so _awfully_ want to see you,
about a matter of _urgent importance_. Do be good-natured
and come and lunch with us--any time before half-past two, if
possible. It will be _so_ kind of you. I hope the _morning
performance_ has done you no harm.

Yours, sincerely, ADELA CUNYNGHAM."

Well, luncheon was not much in his way, for he usually dined at five;
nevertheless, Lady Adela was an especial friend of his and had been very
kind to him, and here was some serious business. So he hurried through
what correspondence was absolutely necessary; he sent word to Green's
stables that he should not ride that morning; he walked round to a
certain gymnasium and had three quarters of an hour with the
fencing-master (this was an appointment which he invariably held
sacred); on his way back to his rooms he called in at Solomon's for a
buttonhole; and then, having got home and made certain alterations in
his toilet, he went out again, jumped into a hansom, and was driven up
to the top of Campden Hill, arriving there shortly after one o'clock.

He found Lady Adela and Miss Georgie Lestrange in the drawing-room, or
rather just outside, on the little balcony overlooking the garden, and
neither of them seemed any the worse for that masquerading in the early
dawn; indeed, Miss Georgie's naturally fresh and bright complexion
flushed a little more than usual when she saw who this new-comer was,
for perhaps she was thinking of the very frank manner in which Damon had
expressed his admiration for Pastora but a few short hours ago.

"I have been telling Georgie all about the dresses at the drawing-room,"
said the tall young matron, as she gave him her hand and regarded him
with a friendly look; "but that won't interest you, Mr. Moore. We shall
have to talk about the new beauties, rather, to interest _you_."

He was a little puzzled.

"I thought, Lady Adela, you said there was something--something of
importance--"

"That depends," said she, with a pleasant smile in her clear, gray-blue
eyes. "I think it of importance; but it remains to be seen whether the
world is of the same opinion. Well, I won't keep you in suspense."

She went to the piano, and brought back three volumes plainly bound in
green cloth.

"Behold!"

He took them from her, and glanced