tion away from Rivenoak. As he rambled along an
uninteresting road, it occurred to him that he ought to write to Mrs.
Woolstan. No need, of course, to say anything about the results of Lady
Ogram's decease, but he really owed Iris a letter, just to show that he
was not unmindful of her kindness. The foolish little woman had done
her best for him; indeed, without her help, where would he have been
now? He must pay his debt to her as soon as possible, and it would of
course be necessary to speak of the matter to Constance. Not, perhaps,
till after their marriage. Well, he would see; he might possibly have
an impulse. Happily this was the very last of the unpleasant details he
would have to dismiss. The luxury of living without concealment,
unembarrassed, and unafraid!

By the bye, how would Constance understand the duties of her
trusteeship? What portion of her income would she feel at liberty to
set apart for personal uses? In all likelihood, she had spoken of that
with Lady Ogram; at their coming interview, she would fully explain her
position.

He returned to the hotel, and dined alone. To his disappointment, there
came no answer from Rivenoak. Was it possible that Constance had
already gone away? Very unlikely, so soon after the funeral. She would
reply, no doubt, by post; indeed, there was no hurry, and a little
reserve on her part would be quite natural.

Morning brought him the expected letter. "Dear Mr. Lashmar--" Oh, that
was nothing; merely the reserve he had anticipated: he liked her the
better for it. "I shall be at home all to-morrow, busy with many
things. Could you come about three o'clock? Sincerely yours, Constance
Bride." What could be in better taste? How else could she write, under
the circumstances? His real wooing had not yet begun, and she merely
reminded him of that, with all gentleness.

So, in the afternoon he once more presented himself at Rivenoak, and
once more followed the servant into the drawing-room; Constance sat
there; she rose as he approached, and silently gave her hand. He
thought she looked rather pale; that might be the effect of black
attire, which made a noticeable change in her appearance. But a certain
dignity of which the visitor was very sensible, a grace of movement and
of bearing which seemed new to her, could not be attributed to the
dress she wore. In a saddened voice, he hoped that she was well, that
she had not suffered from the agitations of the past week; and, with