at he had been poisoned. I gather you are fond
of Edgecumbe,' he added.

'Yes,' I replied; 'it may be it is owing to the peculiar circumstances by
which we were brought together, and from the fact that more than once he
saved my life. And no man could love his brother more than I love him.'

'Then,' said Colonel McClure earnestly, 'watch over him, my friend; guard
him as if he were your own son.'

I spent a good deal of time in Edgecumbe's room that night, but we
scarcely spoke. He was sleeping most of the time, and I was warned
against exciting him. The following day, however, he was quite like his
natural self, and expressed his determination to get up. As Colonel
McClure had encouraged this, I made no attempt to oppose him, and the
afternoon of the Monday being fine and sunny, we walked in the park
together.

'Springfield's gone to London, hasn't he?' he asked.

'Yes,' I replied; and then I blurted out, 'He spent yesterday afternoon
with Miss Bolivick. I am inclined to think you are right about his
intentions concerning her.'

'Do you think he has spoken to her?'

'I shouldn't be surprised, and for that matter I am inclined to think he
has had a serious conversation with her father.'

I was almost sorry, when I saw the look on his face, that I had spoken in
this way. He became very pale, and his lips quivered as though he were
much moved. 'Of course,' I went on, trying to make the best of my _faux
pas_, 'it may be a good thing for you.'

'Why?' he asked.

'If he has been successful, it will make you see how foolish your
thoughts are.'

'Do you know me so little as that?' he asked.

'But surely, my dear fellow,' I said, 'in the face of what I said
yesterday, you will not think of entertaining such impossible ideas?'

'You mean about my having a wife somewhere,' and he laughed.

'I mean that, under the most favourable circumstances, no honourable man
could, in your position, ask a woman to marry him.'

'I mean to ask her, though,' was his reply.

'But, my dear fellow----'

'Luscombe,' and there was a steady look in his eyes as he spoke, 'I have
thought it all out. Almighty God never put such a love in a man's heart
as He has put in my heart for Lorna Bolivick, to laugh at him. At the
very first opportunity I shall tell her everything.'

'And if she refuses you,' I said, 'as most likely she will?'

'I shall still love her, and never give up hoping and striving.'

'You mean----?'

'I