t there we'll talk about that later.'

A minute later Edgecumbe was led by his mother into the library, while
Lord Carbis walked on the other side of his newly-found son.

Never in all my experience have I sat down to such a strange dinner
party as on that night. We were all wild with excitement, and yet we
appeared to talk calmly about things that didn't matter a bit. What we
ate, or whether we ate, I have not the slightest remembrance.
Personally I felt as though I were dreaming, and that I should
presently wake up and find things in their normal condition again. But
it was easy to see that each was thinking deeply. Especially did Sir
Thomas and Springfield show that they were considering what the
evening's happenings might mean.

Strange as it may seem, little was said about the happening which had
created such a consternation. Of course it was in all our minds, but
to speak about it seemed for some time like trespassing on forbidden
ground.

'Anyhow,' said Lady Bolivick presently, 'the dear things will want some
dinner, James,' and she turned to the butler, 'see that something fit
to eat is kept for Lord and Lady Carbis, and Major----that is their
son.'

'Yes, my lady.'

'It's all very wonderful, I'm sure,' went on Lady Bolivick. 'I
hope--that is--they won't be disappointed in him. Of, course he's had
a wonderful career, and done unheard-of things, but if he sticks to
what he said about never taking a penny of money made by
drink--there--there'll be all sorts of difficulties.'

'Yes, but I imagine he'll chuck all that,' and Springfield seemed like
a man speaking to himself.

'Oh, I hope not,' said Lorna.

'You hope not!' and her father spoke as if in astonishment.

'Yes,' cried the girl. 'It was so fine--and so true. When I read his
speech in _The Times_, I felt just as he did.'

'Nonsense, Lorna! Why, if he stands by his crazy words, he'll still be
a poor man with nothing but his pay to live on. He'll sacrifice one of
the finest fortunes in England.'

Almost unconsciously I looked towards George St. Mabyn, whom I had
almost forgotten in my excitement, and I saw that he looked like a
haunted man. His face was drawn and haggard, although I judged he had
been drinking freely through dinner. I called to mind the words
Edgecumbe had uttered just before Lord and Lady Carbis came into the
room, and I wondered what they meant.

'No,' said Sir Thomas, who was evidently thinking of his daughter'